About 3% of Americans have gout, an inflammatory form of arthritis that makes one or more joints hurt, stiff, and swell. Gout is different from osteoarthritis because it is caused by uric acid crystals building up inside your joint and stopping it from working normally.
Uric acid is a natural acid that forms when common chemical compounds called purines break down. Purines are found in lots of foods in varying amounts. Usually, excess uric acid is eliminated in your urine and feces. But sometimes, it builds up — and that’s when gout happens.
At his practice in Houston, Texas, Joshua D. Harris, MD, helps people with painful gout get rid of their symptoms by combining medical treatments with changes to their lifestyle, such as making big changes to their diet. He talks about some common foods that people with gout or who are at risk of getting it should stay away from in this post.
Is Vienna Sausage Bad for Gout?
As a gout sufferer, you know certain foods can trigger painful flair-ups. But what about beloved mini sausages like Vienna sausage? Are a few little links off limits, or can they be enjoyed in moderation? Let’s examine if and why Vienna sausages may be problematic for gout.
What is Gout?
First a quick overview of gout. This form of inflammatory arthritis occurs due to excess uric acid in the bloodstream. When uric acid levels get too high crystals form and deposit in the joints. This causes redness, swelling, heat, and extreme pain during gout attacks.
Uric acid comes from the breakdown of purines. Purines are natural substances found in some foods. An overly purine-rich diet can spur gout in those with certain genetic factors.
Foods that commonly trigger gout include:
- Organ meats like liver or kidneys
- Oily fish like sardines or anchovies
- Shellfish such as shrimp, lobster, etc.
- Beer and other alcoholic drinks
- Sugary foods and drinks
- Some vegetables like asparagus, peas, etc
- Processed meat products
Key Substances That Worsen Gout
Besides purines, a few other ingredients in foods tend to exacerbate gout. These include:
Sodium – Found in large amounts in canned, pickled, and cured foods. Sodium impairs kidney function, causing buildup of uric acid.
Nitrates – Preservatives like sodium nitrate found in processed meats. They may hinder excretion of uric acid.
Saturated Fats – Found in high-fat red meat and dairy products. Can reduce kidney function and increase uric acid production.
Fructose – A sugar found in soda, candy, some produce and juices. Also increases uric acid levels.
Alcohol – Beer is especially problematic. Impairs kidney function and blocks excretion of uric acid.
Now let’s analyze how Vienna sausages may impact gout.
Vienna Sausage and Gout Risks
Originally from Austria, these mini smoked sausages are now popular worldwide. The typical ingredients in Vienna sausage include:
- Finely ground pork and/or beef
- Salt, garlic powder, paprika, etc for seasoning
- A collagen casing
- Sodium nitrite curing salt
So what exactly makes them potentially troublesome for gout suffers? A few key factors:
Purine Content – Vienna sausages contain moderate levels of purines from the meat components. Consuming too many may tip you over your daily limit.
Nitrates – The curing salt used often contains sodium nitrite, which can interfere with proper uric acid excretion.
Fat Content – The fatty pork and/or beef can worsen kidney function and increase uric acid production.
Sodium Content – Vienna sausages contain high levels of sodium, which also impairs kidney function.
Overall, the combination of nitrates, sodium, fat, and purines make Vienna sausages a high-risk food for triggering painful gout attacks.
Gout-Friendly Ways to Eat Vienna Sausages
If you really love Vienna sausages, a few small servings here and there will likely not cause issues. Here are some tips for enjoying them more safely with gout:
- Limit to 1-2 links per serving just 2-3 times per month
- Balance out the meal with low purine foods like cherries, greens, etc.
- Stay very well hydrated to help flush out uric acid
- Take any prescribed gout medication to reduce flare-ups
- Avoid other high sodium foods on days you eat sausages
- Apply ice packs preventively if joints feel sensitive
With care and moderation, an occasional indulgence in a few mini sausages is possible. But regular or excessive intake is playing with fire for recurrent, painful gout attacks.
Better Meat Alternatives for Gout Sufferers
For more gout-friendly ways to satisfy meat cravings, consider these lower purine options:
- Skinless chicken or turkey breast
- Lean ground bison or elk
- Wild caught fish like salmon or trout
- Grass-fed beef or bison burgers
- Veggie or turkey-based sausage links
- Tofu, edamame, or tempeh
Pair these plant-based proteins and lean meats with veggies, whole grains, beans, and nuts. Limit sugar, salt, alcohol and portion sizes. Stay active and take medication as directed to prevent gout flares.
The Verdict: Vienna Sausages and Gout Don’t Mix Well
While an occasional mini sausage may be tolerated, regular consumption of Vienna sausages is ill-advised for those prone to gout attacks. The combination of nitrates, sodium, fat and purines make them a high-risk food. For better joint health and reduced gout flare-ups, emphasize lean proteins, plenty of produce, whole grains and unsweetened fluids. With some simple diet tweaks, you can still enjoy great food without the agony of gout!
Red meats and organ meats
Beef and lamb both contain high levels of purine, so it’s crucial to avoid or limit these foods. Although not strictly “red” meat, you should also lower your consumption of pork and pork products.
Liver, kidneys, and other organ meats tend to have higher concentrations of purines. That also includes foods made from these organs, like liverwurst or kidney pie. You should also avoid glandular meats, like sweetbreads (pancreas) and game meats.
Some people say that seafood like lobster, sardines, shrimp, anchovies, scallops, and herring is better for you than other types of protein. Seafood can be good for you, but it’s also full of purines. Limiting these foods or eliminating them from your diet entirely can help reduce your symptoms.
Until recently, doctors recommended avoiding grain-based liquors, like beer and whiskeys. But more recently, research suggests that if you have gout, you’re better off avoiding alcohol — even wine. That’s because symptoms tend to be triggered by the ethanol in alcohol, not by the products used in fermentation.
Many sugary foods, especially those with corn syrup or other types of fructose (a sugar found in plants), raise uric acid levels. That includes beverages like sodas, energy drinks, and plenty of fruit juices. Many foods, even bread and ketchup, have a lot of fructose and other sugars, so read the labels carefully when you go grocery shopping.
Brewer’s yeast, nutritional yeast, and premade yeast supplements can increase uric acid levels and trigger gout symptoms. Avoid these products to help prevent flare-ups.
Processed foods are rampant in American diets and Western diets in general. Cookies, crackers, packaged baked goods, and processed foods like bacon and sausage increase the risks of lots of health problems, including gout. Avoiding these foods is a good idea whether you have gout or not.
Any list of “forbidden” foods can leave you feeling like there’s nothing “good” left to eat. Of course, that’s not true. There are plenty of delicious foods that are perfectly fine for people with gout, including:
- Low-fat dairy
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Potatoes
- Rice
- Breads
- Pasta
- Peanut butter and other nuts
The internet is an excellent resource for shopping lists and recipes that rely on low-purine foods. Just be sure any recipes or lists you use come from reputable sources.
Don’t ignore gout symptoms
Gout often accompanies other medical problems, like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and kidney disease. These associations are so common, gout is often viewed as a “sentinel” disease, a medical condition that serves as a sort of early-warning system for other medical problems. Having joint pain or swelling evaluated early is critical for determining if you have gout and if you might be at risk for one of these other medical problems.
If you have gout symptoms, don’t ignore them. Instead, call 713-441-8393 or book an appointment online with Dr. Joshua Harris today and learn how he can help.
Highly Processed Meat Danger? It’s not what you think…
FAQ
Is Italian sausage bad for gout?
What’s the worst meat for gout?
What lunch meat is good for gout?
Is spaghetti bad for gout?
What is a Vienna sausage?
A smoked sausage made with pork and beef, usually eaten hot. A Vienna sausage is a thin parboiled sausage traditionally made of pork and beef in a casing of sheep’s intestine, then given a low temperature smoking. A sausage made from ground pork and finely chopped beef and, much like salami, is cured and cold smoked or air-dried.
Can eating pork sausage cause gout?
Yes. Pork, like other sausages, is rich in purines, which when broken down by the body are transformed into uric acid, which can accumulate in the joints, causing inflammation and intense pain, which is gout.
Does eating meat cause gout?
Given the strong link between meat intake and gout – which is based on purine content alone – offal should definitely be avoided too. Somewhat contradictory to the purine-gout theory, consumption of purine-rich vegetables is not associated with an increased risk of gout (3).
Do purine-rich vegetables increase gout risk?
Somewhat contradictory to the purine-gout theory, consumption of purine-rich vegetables is not associated with an increased risk of gout (3). Researchers speculate this could be due to a lower bioavailability of purines in vegetabes, as well as other nutrients which may offset the harmful effects of their purines.