Eating peanuts not related to gout, says expert

MANILA, Philippines - People suffering from gout need not stop eating peanut and legumes after all.

The Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA) has reported that consumption of peanuts and beans has nothing to do with high level of uric acid that could eventually lead to gout or swelling of joints.

Dr. Juan Lichauco, PRA board member, said recent studies showed that contrary to wide belief, legumes such as peanuts and beans contain only a small amount of purene, an organic compound that becomes uric acid after being processed by the body.

“Before we used to be strict on such type of foods, but based on recent studies, we found out that we don’t have to restrict that much,” Lichauco said.

“We realized that vegetable proteins have been shown not to contribute to high uric acid,” he added.

Lichauco said gout is a type of arthritis resulting from buildup of too much uric acid in the body.

“Uric acid usually remains in the blood until it passed into the urine through the kidney and in people with gout, uric acid deposits in the joints and other tissues in the form of urate crystals,” Lichauco said.

Medicals experts said gout, which is characterized by episodes of severe sudden onset pain and swelling in one or more joints, can be inherited or may also occur as a complication of other diseases.

Compared to females, male are more commonly affected with gout. People with gout experience the first attack between the age of 30 and 50.

Lichauco said there are some drugs available to lower uric acid levels and the gout although they also advise patients to shed some pounds if necessary and to avoid food that tend to raise uric acid level.

Foods that gout patients should avoid include internal organ meats like liver and kidney as well as bagoong (shrimp paste), dilis (anchovies), sardines, shellfish and most especially, alcoholic beverages.

“People with gout can eat almost anything as long as it is in moderation. However, there are certain foods that have been identified to precipitate gout attack, thus it is best to avoid them,” experts said.

Lichauco said people with gout may also have a problem in their kidneys, thus there is a need for them to properly consult with doctors so that they can take the right medication.