Foods that can Increase Uric Acid

Purines are organic compounds, which create uric acid on breakdown in the body. While your body needs uric acid for blood vessel health and other processes, a buildup of excess uric acid can lead to gout, diabetes and even cardiovascular disease. Purines consumed in the diet account for about 50 percent of the uric acid produced in the body. Therefore, avoiding foods high in purines or following a modified purine diet may help improve uric acid levels.

According to the American Medical Association, purine-containing foods include:

Beer, other alcoholic beverages.
Anchovies, sardines in oil, fish roes, herring.
Yeast.
Organ meat (liver, kidneys, sweetbreads)
Legumes (dried beans, peas)
Meat extracts, consomme, gravies.
Mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower.

Any foods with a lower pH and that create acidosis in the system should be avoided, according to Dr. Theodore A. Baroody in his book "Alkalize or Die". Some of these foods are artificial sweeteners, food additives such as MSG, wheat, goat and lamb, pork, deer, chocolate, coffee, tea, turkey, white rice and liquor. Acid forming foods are known to aggravate gout and increase the levels of uric acid in the blood.