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Raspberries in gout: can or not?
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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"Gout" is a type of joint disease in which there is a metabolic disorder with subsequent deposition of sodium urate crystals in the joints, i.e. uric acid salts, which can lead to the destruction of the joints. This pathology was known back in the days of Hippocrates and received another name - "the disease of kings". Today, gout occurs in about 3 out of 1 thousand people, most often in men over 40 years old and in women after menopause. The cause of the disease lies in the disruption of the kidneys, which cannot cope with the processing of uric acid, excreted in large quantities. A clear sign of gout is the appearance of peculiar growths on the limbs against the background of a significant increase in the amount of uric acid. The patient feels severe pain in the affected joint and discomfort when moving. One of the therapeutic measures is a review of the lifestyle and strict adherence to diet No. 6, the main goal of which is to reduce the level of uric acid. The consumption of foods that contain uric acid bases is limited: fish and meat, as well as legumes, mushrooms, pickles and smoked foods, cauliflower, etc.
Raspberries are not recommended for gout, as they contain purines and when consumed in large quantities, they can cause a disruption in the body's purine metabolism. Therefore, people suffering from gout should limit raspberries in their diet. 100 grams of raspberries contain 18 mg of purines.
In general, raspberries are useful due to the content of glucose, fructose, organic acids, which are digestion stimulants, promoting better absorption of nutrients. Thanks to malic acid, carbohydrate metabolism is activated, fats are "burned". However, it is precisely because of the content of uric acid and oxalic acid salts in raspberries that doctors do not recommend this product for consumption.
In case of gout, the diet should be composed with reference to the products recommended for arthritis. The main rule is to take medications that reduce the level of uric acid. It is necessary to drink liquids in sufficient quantities (tea, mineral waters, fruit drinks and compotes) - up to 2-3 l/day. Fasting days are recommended - milk, apple, compote, cottage cheese, etc.
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Can you eat raspberries if you have gout?
Raspberries are not recommended for gout for the simple reason that the berries contain purines, which when broken down form uric acid. With kidney problems, the level of purines increases, and uric acid accumulates in the joints, tendons, and internal organs. Thus, a disease called "gout" develops. Normally, the level of uric acid in an adult reaches 5.5-6.5 mg / dl. The body produces an average of 400-600 mg of uric acid per day, the same amount must be excreted. When consuming large amounts of purine-containing products, including raspberries, the amount of sodium urate (sodium salt) increases. Naturally, a few berries will not cause harm, so you can try raspberries in season without unnecessary fears.
Can you eat raspberries with gout? Yes, but only in small quantities. Some doctors do not recommend eating raspberries at all, as well as a number of other products that increase uric acid levels: sorrel, cauliflower, spinach, peanuts, legumes, figs, mushrooms. Following a strict diet plays a key role in successful therapy, helps prevent exacerbations and significantly improves well-being. Gout treatment should be aimed at accelerating the removal of uric acid from the body.
Since raspberries are a diuretic, consuming them in large quantities can lead to dehydration and, consequently, an increase in uric acid levels.
Why can't you eat raspberries if you have gout?
Raspberries should be consumed with caution in case of gout, since the berries contain purines. In case of kidney problems and exacerbation of urolithiasis, the use of purine-containing products can lead to the development of this serious disease.
Can you eat raspberries if you have gout? Doctors recommend reducing the consumption of this product to a minimum. It should be noted that raspberries are prohibited if you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract (ulcers, gastritis). Raspberry juice or fruit drink can only be consumed diluted. People suffering from gout should avoid foods that increase the level of uric acid in the blood, including raspberries. You should follow diet No. 6, arrange fasting days, and give up alcohol.
In addition to raspberries, viburnum should not be included in the diet of a patient with gout, as it also contains a large number of purine compounds. It is important to note that raspberries and viburnum are products with a diuretic effect, and with gout, the body's cells should not be dehydrated, but filled with water. Naturally, if the patient wants to eat a few raspberries for dessert or drink a cup of viburnum tea, an exception can be made.
Diagnosing gout is easy - it is necessary to take a blood test for the content of uric acid in the human body. Constant overeating of products containing purine compounds plays a role in the development of the disease. Other factors that provoke the disease include hereditary predisposition, as well as a sedentary lifestyle.
Raspberries are among the prohibited foods for gout, despite the fact that the percentage of purines in the berries is quite low. However, when consuming raspberries in large quantities, the concentration of uric acid increases significantly, and this, in turn, leads to a deterioration in the patient's condition.