According to the Arthritis Foundation (the leading US nonprofit organization for musculoskeletal diseases), beef is a nutritious source of protein, containing a lot of vitamin B12, iron and zinc. However, due to its high purine content, beef can increase uric acid in the blood - the cause of gout and kidney stones if consumed excessively.
To eat beef without spiking uric acid, the Arthritis Foundation recommends:
Limit your portion sizes: Only eat 5070g of beef/time and no more than 2-3 times/week.
Choose lean portions: Limit fatty meat or organs because it contains more purines.
Combining many green vegetables: Leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cucumbers... helps alkalimize the body, supporting uric acid excretion.
Drink plenty of water: Minimum 2 liters of water/day helps dilute and excrete uric acid through urine.
Avoid cooking a lot of fat: steam, boil or pan over medium heat instead of frying.
The Arthritis Foundation believes that adjusting your diet, especially limiting foods rich in purines such as red meat, while increasing vegetables, fruits and whole grains, can help control uric acid levels well and reduce the risk of gout outbreaks.
