Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. It often affects the big toe, but can impact other joints as well. Gout flare-ups cause sudden and severe pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in the affected joints. Certain foods high in purines, which break down into uric acid, are known to trigger gout attacks in susceptible individuals. This leads many gout sufferers to wonder: can beef jerky cause gout flare-ups?
How Purines and Uric Acid Relate to Gout
Purines are natural substances found in some foods. When the body breaks down purines, uric acid is produced as a byproduct. Normally, uric acid is dissolved in the blood, filtered through the kidneys, and removed from the body through urine. However in some people uric acid levels become elevated and uric acid crystals precipitate out in the joints. This causes the inflammation and intense pain of a gout flare.
Foods high in purines include:
- Organ meats like liver and kidneys
- Oily fish like sardines and anchovies
- Red meats
- Some seafood like scallops and mussels
- Beer and liquors
Eating high-purine foods raises uric acid levels in the body, increasing gout risk. Limiting purine-rich foods is a key part of gout management.
Is Beef Jerky High in Purines?
Beef jerky is high in protein and often eaten as a snack food. But is this tasty, portable dried meat also high in those pesky purines that can trigger gout?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes Beef is generally high in purines. And while the dehydration process may reduce the total purine content somewhat, beef jerky is still considered a high-purine food
One study found beef jerky contains around 400 mg of purines per 100 gram serving. By comparison, liver contains over 500 mg per 100 grams. So while beef jerky may not be quite as high in purines as some other meats, it’s definitely up there.
Can Eating Beef Jerky Bring On a Gout Flare?
For those prone to gout attacks, eating high-purine foods like beef jerky does appear to increase the risk of a flare-up. One major study found that consuming foods with at least 250 mg of purines per 100 grams was associated with an increased likelihood of recurrent gout attacks. With roughly 400 mg of purines per 100 gram serving, beef jerky exceeds this threshold.
However, gout flare ups depend on more than just purine content Other factors play a role, like
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Overall diet – Eating high-purine foods as part of an otherwise low-purine diet may not trigger flares. But adding high-purine foods to an already purine-rich diet compounds the problem.
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Quantity consumed – Eating a few slices of beef jerky occasionally may cause less of an issue than eating jerky every day. Moderation is key.
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Individual factors – Some people are more susceptible to gout flares than others, even when consuming the same foods.
So while beef jerky may cause flares in some gout sufferers, others may be able to enjoy it in moderation without incident. It’s impossible to make blanket predictions. Each individual needs to pay attention to how their own body responds.
Tips for Enjoying Beef Jerky With Gout
If you have gout but don’t want to give up the tasty convenience of beef jerky entirely, here are some tips:
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Limit portions – Stick to 1-2 ounces of jerky at a time and avoid making it a daily habit.
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Choose low-sodium options – Sodium can exacerbate gout, so go for low-sodium jerky when possible.
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Drink plenty of water – Staying well-hydrated helps flush uric acid from the body.
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Avoid other high-purine foods – Don’t overdo it on all purine sources in one day.
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Consider taking medication – Uric acid-lowering drugs like allopurinol can reduce flare risks.
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Monitor response – Pay attention to if jerky seems to trigger flares for you specifically. Adjust intake accordingly.
The Bottom Line – Beef Jerky and Gout
Beef jerky is a convenient, protein-packed snack. But with roughly 400 mg of purines per serving, it is considered a high-purine food that may increase the likelihood of painful gout flares.
Individual factors play a major role though. Some gout sufferers may be able to occasionally enjoy a moderate amount of jerky without issue. Others find even small amounts can quickly bring on a flare.
Rather than generalizing, it’s best for gout patients to self-monitor and see how their own body responds to jerky. Limiting portions, staying hydrated, avoiding other high-purine foods, and taking uric acid-lowering medication can all help minimize flare risks for those who wish to consume this popular snack.
Processed Meat and Other Harmful Substances
Processed meat tends to be saltier than any other type of meat. They have four times the amount of salt than red meat and they contain more 50% more preservatives. This is a huge contributing factor to the risk it poses to people who consume processed meat. In addition, sodium reduces one’s tolerance to sugars which can only mean that your risk for diabetes increases.
The list of dangerous chemicals doesn’t just stop at nitrites. Certain processed meats contain harmful compounds such as PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) and HCAs (Heterocyclic Amines). These chemicals are formed in the process of curing meat via burning or smoking meat.
Other harmful ingredients found in processed meat include:
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Hydrolyzed milk protein
- Sodium phosphate
- Dextrose corn syrup
- Sodium erythorbate
- Ascorbic acid
- Monosodium glutamate
- Dyes
Processed Meat Increases Many Cancer Risks
If you’re a regular person who eats a daily breakfast consisting of bacon and other processed meats, now might be a good time to cut down on that. Processed meat has been associated with various cancers including stomach, colorectal, and breast cancer.
Here are more facts about processed meat, cancer, and other diseases:
Eating 50 grams of processed meat a day, which is about one hot dog or two bacon strips, can raise the risk of bowel cancer by 2018.
-Eating one portion of processed meat every day would make you 24% more likely to get coronary heart disease and 19% more likely to get diabetes than someone who didn’t eat processed meat every day.
-The Cancer Research Centre in the UK said that if people in Britain didn’t eat processed or red meat, the incidences of cancer would decrease by 8,800. That is more than the number of people in Britain who die from road accidents.
-Women who consumed 9g of bacon a day increased their risk for developing breast cancer.
-In 2013, it was found that a diet high in processed meats accounts for an estimated 526,000 deaths due to cardiovascular disease, 84,000 for diabetes, and 34,000 for bowel cancer.
-A study done by British researchers Peter Magee and John Barnes found that rats who were exposed to dimethyl nitrosamine regularly developed tumours in the liver, stomach, oesophagus, intestines, brain, bladder, kidneys, and lungs.
-A 1994 study found that children who consumed hotdogs several times a week increased their risk for developing childhood brain cancer especially if they are on a diet poor in vitamins.
Just recently, the World Health Organization has classified processed meats as a group 1 carcinogen. This is based on 400 studies reviewed by 22 cancer experts from all over the world in which they found that processed meat is strongly linked to colon cancer. It’s a fact that you can’t ignore. You can read more of W.H.O.’s findings and opinions on processed meat here.
Meat and gout?
FAQ
How much purine is in beef jerky?
What’s the worst meat for gout?
Does beef flare up gout?
Are processed meats bad for gout?
Some of the most common processed meats are bacon, ham, hotdogs, sausages, and beef jerky. They’re all a typical part of a meat eaters’ diet, however, what most people don’t know is that processed meats can be bad for your health, especially for gout sufferers. Meat itself is naturally high in purines but its processed versions are much worse.
Does eating frozen meats cause gout?
Consuming frozen meats per se does not raise your chances of getting gout attacks. It is the type of meat that plays a more important role. Organ meats, game meats, and red meats, including beef, lamb, and pork, are more likely to cause an acute attack of gouty pain.
Is gout related to beef or red meat?
Gout is a form of arthritis that results from the buildup of urate crystals in the joints, leading to severe pain and inflammation. The connection between gout and beef or red meat is often a subject of concern. Here’s why individuals with gout should consider reducing their consumption of beef and other red meats:
Is beef good for gout?
While not as purine-packed as organ meats or sardines, beef still ranks relatively high, and if eaten in large enough quantities can cause a problem for those prone to gout flare ups. Talk with your doctor to see if beef is OK for you. Serving Size (100 grams), Purines (110-133 milligrams) [hr] 18. Turkey