Oatmeal and uric acid: Is it good or bad?

Oatmeal and uric acid: Is it good or bad? Our blood contains uric acid, a toxic substance that is a waste product. During digestion, chemical substances known as purines degrade into uric acid. Furthermore, purine-rich foods or drinks can also raise the level of uric acid in your body. Urinary uric acid is mostly excreted through the kidneys.

Some factors hinder the kidneys’ removal of uric acid from your body. Consumption of fattening foods, obesity, using water pills, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption are among these factors.

Your body’s uric acid level is affected by many factors, one of which is your diet. You can manage hyperuricemia by avoiding purine-rich foods.

Oatmeal lovers may wonder whether it can cause Hyperuricemia or not since they consume it every morning. Here’s what you should know.

Index

Is oatmeal good for uric acid?

Fiber-rich cereals like oatmeal are great for adding fruits, nuts, and honey for a healthy breakfast. High purine intake, however, can induce hyperuricemia , resulting in an inflammatory condition known as gout due to uric acid crystals accumulating in joints. Purine-containing foods should be avoided or consumed in moderation by people with hyperuricemia and gout.

However, oatmeal shouldn’t be completely omitted from your diet as it offers a number of health benefits. Due to its fiber content, it promotes bowel movements as well as feelings of fullness. In addition, it may help prevent high blood pressure.

The high fiber content of oatmeal makes it a great source of antioxidants. Anyhow, to reduce the risk of hyperuricemia and gout attacks (flare-ups), limit your intake.

Does oatmeal contain purines?

The purines present in oatmeal are between 50 and 150 milligrams per 100 grams. The oatmeal is therefore approximately in the middle of the range of purine-containing foods for milligrams per serving.

Even though it contains fewer purines than scallops, organ meats, or some fish, eating too much of it can cause higher levels of uric acid.

An excess of uric acid in the blood causes hyperuricemia. Several diseases can be caused by high uric acid levels, including gout, a painful form of arthritis.

You should only serve it twice a week

According to research, you should limit your intake of oatmeal to two servings per week if you suffer from gout or have a family history of the condition.

Is oatmeal bad for uric acid?

Some foods contain purines, which can raise a person’s uric acid level if they consume them. A high level of uric acid in the body can lead to many diseases, including gout.

Based on what we discussed previously, oatmeal contains approximately fifty to one hundred and fifty milligrams of purines per 100 grams, which places it in the middle of different purine-rich foods. The purines found in foods with less than 100 mg of uric acid per 3.5 oz (100 grams) are usually considered to be “low” purines, while those between 100 and 200 mg per 3.5 oz (100 grams) are usually considered “moderate”. It is advisable to avoid any dosage over 200 mg.

So oatmeal is considered to have a moderate to low purine content, but it’s still high enough to cause gout when eaten in excess.

Despite its lower purine content than some other foods, it may not be an ideal choice for patients with high levels of uric acid. They may experience more pain and have a greater risk of gout since their uric acid level may be aggravated.

In this case, you might be able to argue that consuming too much oatmeal while you’re suffering from hyperuricemia wouldn’t be safe for you.

Does uric acid go up or down?

As part of the digestive process, our digestive enzymes convert purines into uric acid, which can accumulate in the body in moderate quantities. Purine and uric acid molecules can be fortunately excreted via urine from our bodies.

If you produce too much uric acid or the urinary system can’t remove enough uric acid, uric acid accumulates in the joints. Gout may result in joint pain, swelling, and inflammation.

While oatmeal can have many health benefits, it can also increase your uric acid level if it is consumed in bulk. You should, however, limit your oatmeal intake to two times per week to avoid worsening your hyperuricemia.

The consumption of high amounts of oatmeal daily can be dangerous for those with hyperuricemia or gout.

Purine-rich foods lead to excess uric acid

You can decrease or increase uric acid in your body with certain foods or drinks. Foods and beverages that increase uric acid include:

Alcohol
Shellfish
Red meat
Soda

Purine-moderate foods can be eaten in moderation

When you have gout or hyperuricemia, you may want to cut back slightly on foods that are moderate in purines.

It’s possible you won’t experience gout again once you’ve had gout before. Gout, however, recurs in 60 percent of those who get it.

To prevent the recurrence of gout, your doctor will advise you to avoid high-purine foods and limit medium-purine foods.

You should make sure you balance oatmeal with foods that are low in purines if you eat it frequently. You can add flavor and nutrients to this meal by including low-fat milk and fruits.

Hyperuricemia and Gout attacks can be reduced by drinking enough water every day. Drinking more water helps to flush out uric acid from your system.

Hyperuricemia: foods to avoid

Several foods contain high amounts of purines, which may increase levels of uric acid. Here are a few examples:

Drinking alcohol, particularly beer and liquor
Scallops
Drinks and foods that contain fructose
Fish sauces made from small fish, such as anchovies
Meats from organs, such as kidney, liver, and sweetbreads
Lobster
Wild game, such as pheasants, rabbits, and venison
Juices and sodas sweetened with sugar

Even if you want to consume these foods, you ought to consume them in small quantities. Eat them as an exception rather than a rule.

Remember these points

Hyperuricemia sufferers shouldn’t use oatmeal for breakfast, but it’s not the worst option either. Those who suffer from gout may want to limit their intake to a couple of times per week.Diets low in purines may reduce your chances of recurring gout attacks.

If your uric acid level continues to be elevated, you should see a doctor and receive treatment.

Sources: Healthline; Goatandyou