A plant-based diet can significantly reduce the risk of gout if the right plant-based foods are consumed. However, some plant-based foods can also increase the risk.
A new prospective cohort study involving experts from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health examined the connection between the consumption of a plant-based diet, 18 individual food groups and the occurrence of gout. The results can be read in the journal “JAMA”.
Nutrition & gout diseases examined
The team evaluated data from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and the Nurses' Health Study. None of the participants had gout at the start of the study. The researchers used questionnaires to try to determine the participants' diet.
The focus was on adherence to a plant-based diet, determined based on 18 food groups, taking into account whether the participants consumed more or less healthy plant-based foods.
The gout cases were determined by the researchers using an additional questionnaire and had to meet the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. According to the researchers, 2,709 of the 122,679 participants developed gout during the observation period.
Influence of plant-based foods
When analyzing the data, it was shown that the risk of gout was increased among participants whose diet contained fewer healthy plant-based foods, while a healthy plant-based diet significantly reduced the risk of the disease, the researchers report.
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In addition, a high consumption of unhealthy plant-based foods also increased the risk of gout, and the effects of diet on gout risk were, according to the experts, much more pronounced in women overall – both the benefits of healthy plant-based foods and the disadvantages of unhealthy plant-based foods.
Whole grain products reduce risk
The researchers also found that certain plant-based foods were particularly effective in reducing the risk of gout – especially whole grain products. But drinking tea and coffee also reduced the risk of gout, as did consuming dairy products, the team reports.
In contrast, the consumption of fruit juices and sugary drinks was associated with an increased risk of gout, as was the consumption of vegetable oils.
Maintain a healthy plant-based diet
The study results show that to protect against gout, not only should one pay attention to a plant-based diet, but that healthy plant-based foods are crucial, while the consumption of other plant-based foods should be reduced. (as)