Short Answer: Onion is good for gout. Because it has quercetin and it can lower uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks.
Gout is a condition that affects your joints, especially your big toe.
In gout, your body produces too much uric acid, a waste product that forms when your body breaks down purines, a type of chemical compound found in some foods and drinks.
Uric acid can form sharp crystals that accumulate in your joints, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness.
This can lead to various health problems, such as kidney stones, joint damage, and infections.
One of the key factors in managing gout is diet.
What you consume can affect your uric acid levels, which can impact your gout symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage gout, you should consume low-purine foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, and avoid high-purine foods like red meat, organ meat, shellfish, sugary beverages, and alcohol.
Now, onion is a vegetable that belongs to the genus Allium, along with garlic, leek, and chive.
People usually eat onion raw, cooked, or pickled, as a flavoring or a side dish.
Onion is good for gout because it contains quercetin, a flavonoid that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Quercetin can help lower uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks.
One medium onion (110 g) can give you about 13 mg of quercetin, which is about 10% of your daily needs.
Quercetin can positively affect gout by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which is responsible for producing uric acid.
Quercetin can also reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress caused by uric acid crystals.
Furthermore, onion is a low-purine food and low-purine foods are good for gout.
Because, they do not increase your uric acid levels and may help flush out excess uric acid from your body.
You can eat one to two onions per day safely.
More than that can cause digestive problems, such as gas, bloating, and heartburn.
Also, you shouldn’t eat onion if you have an allergy to it or if you are taking blood thinners, as it may increase your risk of bleeding.
Because, onion can interfere with the action of some medications and cause adverse reactions.
You can buy fresh onion in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose onion that is firm, dry, and free of bruises or mold.
Because, these are signs of good quality and freshness.
You can store them in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place for up to two months.
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Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing gout effectively.
I always recommend my gout patients to follow a gout-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.
