Potato and glutinous rice contain high levels of purine, so gout patients should avoid eating them

Text/Lin Qinggu (family medicine physician)

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Feature【4】Low sugar

"Sugar" is a nutrient that produces calories. Its main function for the human body is to "supply calories" and help synthesize vitamins and form body tissues. Generally speaking, an average adult needs about 6 grams of sugar per kilogram of body weight per day. If you consume too much, it will not only convert into fat accumulation and cause obesity, but it will also easily lead to diseases such as high blood sugar and diabetes.

The main sources of sugar are glucose (monosaccharide in the human body), fructose (present in fruits and honey), lactose (present in milk), maltose (produced by the action of yeast), and granulated sugar (extracted from sugar cane, beets, etc.).

In the general diet, starchy foods have the highest sugar content, such as noodles, rice, grains, and root vegetables. Most vegetables, especially leafy vegetables, contain almost no sugar and are perfect "low-sugar foods". In particular, you can eat more high-fiber, low-sugar vegetables such as: bamboo shoots, leeks, winter melon, kale, cabbage, cucumber, cabbage, spinach, etc.

Features【5】Low Purity

"Purin" is a nitrogen-containing substance in the genetic material of the body. It can be synthesized by the body itself or obtained from foods rich in "high purin". After being metabolized by the liver, purine will form "uric acid" and finally be excreted from the body by the kidneys. When the uric acid level in men is above 7 mg per 100 ml of blood and above 6 mg per 100 ml of blood in women, it is called "hyperuricemia", which can easily cause the "uric acid crystals" contained in the blood to gradually deposit in the joints, and eventually lead to the occurrence of "gouty arthritis".

Most people think that foods high in purine are fish or seafood, but in fact, potatoes, glutinous rice, nuts and mushrooms also contain purine. I often advise friends who suffer from gouty arthritis like me that in addition to reducing the intake of the above-mentioned foods, they must also avoid eating broth and drinking beer, and more importantly, drink more water.

In addition, vegetables such as spinach, water spinach, mustard greens, winter melon, cucumber, cucumber, pumpkin, yam, lotus root, etc. are all low-purine foods, which help uric acid dissolve in urine and be excreted from the body, so it is advisable to consume more of them.

Characteristics【6】Alkaline

The normal blood pH value is between 7.35 and 7.45, which is slightly alkaline. For the sake of health, it is helpful to eat more alkaline foods. The acidity and alkalinity of general food is mainly determined by the composition and content of minerals. Alkaline foods contain more potassium, calcium, magnesium and other elements. Green leafy vegetables, seaweed and fruits are all alkaline foods that enhance body health. For example, kelp, tomatoes, rapeseed, cabbage, green peppers, cucumbers, grapes, pineapples, etc. are all high-alkaline fruits and vegetables.

Of all legumes, soybeans have the highest alkalinity and are an excellent choice for treating an overly acidic constitution. But starches and grains, especially refined starches (such as white rice, white bread, white noodles, white steamed buns, biscuits, etc.) are acidic.

The reason why we have an acidic body constitution is actually the result of consuming a large amount of high-fat, high-protein, and high-calorie foods. Therefore, we should eat less of these foods in normal times. If you really cannot avoid these foods, then you might as well eat them together with alkaline foods. For example, add kelp when stewing meat; add radish when roasting beef... etc. These are all ways to help balance your diet.

Source: Apple House Publishing House [Food is its own medicine: Healthy diet to keep your stomach healthy and live a long life - Dr. Qinggu's happy menu]