Uric acid is a chemical that is formed in the body when it breaks down certain substances that are present in some foods such as beans, liver, anchovies and beer. Uric acid has the property of dissolving in the blood and traveling to the kidneys to be expelled through the urine, however, when a person’s body produces high amounts of this substance and cannot eliminate them effectively, hyperuricemia occurs . A condition that, if not treated in time, can complicate health and cause diseases such as gout.
When uric acid levels are high, it is important that, in addition to medical treatment, the person reduces the consumption of certain foods that increase the concentration of this substance in the body. Over time, many specialists denied and assured that the tomato is one of the vegetables that could alter the levels of this chemical in the body, this fact generated such confusion in the population that until today there are many people diagnosed with hyperuricemia Who are wondering: is tomato bad for uric acid? If you are one of them, we invite you to continue reading this FastlyHealarticle where you can find many answers.
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Is tomato bad for uric acid?
For many years there has been a belief that people diagnosed with high levels of uric acid cannot eat tomatoes because, supposedly, these vegetables increase the concentration of this substance in the blood. This belief is due to the fact that the tomato is one of the foods that contains purines , substances that when broken down by the body become uric acid.
When a person has high uric acid, one of the main medical recommendations is to reduce the consumption of foods rich in purines , such as:
- Chicken, turkey, beef, beef and duck.
- Meat-based broths and soups.
- Seafood.
- Built-in.
- Tuna, sardines, salmon, cod and anchovies.
- All kinds of legumes.
- Asparagus, spinach and cauliflower.
- Alcoholic drinks.
Although tomato is a food that contains purines, it is not considered that its content in said substances is so high as to significantly and detrimentally increase the level of uric acid in the body. In fact, to date there is no scientific study that has found any relationship between tomato consumption and hyperuricemia.
The contribution of purines offered by tomatoes is 10 mg per 10 grams and it is for this reason that its purine content is considered to be low. Therefore, people with high uric acid levels can eat tomatoes normally and benefit from the multiple nutritional properties that this fruit offers.
So the answer to the question “is tomato bad for uric acid?” Is NO.
Foods to lower uric acid
When we have been diagnosed with high levels of uric acid, it is important to correct this condition in time to avoid complications, since a prolonged excess of this substance can cause conditions such as gout , arthritis and kidney diseases. A very effective way to lower uric acid is by making changes in our eating habits to eat a healthy diet low in foods rich in purines. For this reason, below we offer you a list of foods to lower uric acid:
- Green vegetables: artichoke and lettuce are vegetables that exert a diuretic action in the body that will make it easier for the body to eliminate uric acid more quickly through the urine. The water where the artichokes are cooked is one of the best home remedies to lower uric acid because it concentrates all the properties of this vegetable. You can drink a cup a day on an empty stomach.
- Fruits: fruits are very effective allies to lower uric acid because they are rich in vitamins that exert an antioxidant action in the body that allows to eliminate toxins and balance the effect of purines. Prefer fruits rich in vitamin C, such as guava, kiwi, orange, and strawberries.
- Water: consuming enough water all the ideas is very important when we suffer from hyperuricemia, since good hydration prevents fluid retention and stimulates the purification of toxins and uric acid through the urine.
- Meats: although meats are foods rich in purines, we cannot completely eliminate the consumption of protein in our diet. Choose healthier meats like chicken and turkey without the skin.
- Vegetables: Celery and pumpkin have diuretic properties and their flavonoid content makes them excellent foods for treating gout.
Diet to lower uric acid
When you have high uric acid, it is important to follow a specialized and often personalized eating plan. For this reason, the most advisable thing is to go to a nutritionist so that, depending on our needs, they can develop a practical and effective diet to lower uric acid. Here is an example of a diet to treat hyperuricemia:
Breakfast option
- 50 grams of cereal.
- 1 orange
- Two slices of whole wheat bread.
- Natural fruit jam.
- 1 glass of skimmed milk.
Lunch option
- 1 cup of rice.
- 1 cup of artichokes.
- 1 serving of skinless chicken breast.
- 1 strawberry juice
Dinner option
- Lettuce, carrot, potato and beet salad.
- 1 skimmed yogurt.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.