This is a common question from gout sufferers, and indeed, I asked this same question many times: What are the foods that cause gout and why?

Well, after researching the concept of gout and food, I realised there’s no direct evidence that gout is initially caused by food or drink consumption – yes, eating certain food can increase uric acid levels in the bloodstream, but, the underlying cause of gout is reason why uric acid levels become so high. So factors that are implicated include:

1. Kidney disease.
2. Certain defective enzyme metabolism.
3. Genetics – family history is a common theme in gout development.
4. Use and overuse of certain medications have been linked to gout development.

From certain studies it’s easy to get the impression that foods cause gout! Such as alcohol and meat, but there is no direct evidence of this. It’s much more likely to be multifactorial.