Does Shrimp Give You Gout? The Truth About Shrimp and Gout Risk

Gout is a common form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. This buildup leads to sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in the joints. While gout often affects the big toe, it can impact other joints like the knee, ankle, elbow, wrist and fingers.

One of the main causes of high uric acid levels is eating foods that are high in purines Purines are compounds that break down into uric acid When too much uric acid accumulates, it can crystalize and cause gout attacks.

For this reason, people with gout are often told to limit intake of high-purine foods like red meat, some seafood alcohol and sugary drinks. But when it comes to shrimp things aren’t so clear cut.

So does eating shrimp increase your risk of gout attacks?

The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Let’s take a detailed look at the effects of shrimp on gout.

How Much Purine is in Shrimp?

Shrimp contains moderate levels of purines. The purine content can vary slightly depending on the specific type and size of shrimp:

• 3 1⁄2 oz serving of cooked pink shrimp: 147 mg of purines
• 3 1⁄2 oz serving of cooked brown shrimp: 153 mg of purines
• 3 1⁄2 oz serving of cooked white shrimp: 166 mg of purines

For comparison, high purine foods like organ meats can contain over 500 mg of purines per serving.

So shrimp is not extremely high in purines like some meats and seafood. But it’s also not very low in purines like plant foods that contain less than 50 mg per serving.

Instead, shrimp falls somewhere in the middle – it has a moderate amount of purines.

How Much Shrimp Is Safe to Eat With Gout?

People with gout are generally advised to limit daily purine intake to no more than 100-150 mg.

For shrimp, this would equal around 4-6 oz per day – a moderate serving a couple times a week is unlikely to trigger gout flares in most people. However, those who are highly sensitive may still need to avoid it.

Consuming very large, frequent portions of shrimp could potentially increase gout risk as the purine content adds up. Sticking to the recommended serving sizes is important.

Here are some general shrimp intake guidelines if you have gout:

• Limit to 2 or 3 servings per week
• Portion size should be 4-6 oz cooked weight at most
• Avoid binging on very large servings like shrimp platters

Shrimp lovers with gout don’t necessarily have to avoid it, but moderation and portion control are key.

Factors That Affect Shrimp’s Impact on Gout

While shrimp’s moderate purine content suggests it may be okay in moderation, there are some important caveats.

A few factors can influence whether shrimp is likely to cause gout attacks:

Individual purine tolerance: Some people are more sensitive to purines than others. Even with moderate intake, shrimp could be a trigger food for some gout sufferers.

Total purine intake: If your diet already contains abundant sources of purines, even moderate foods can tip you over the edge. Take into account your overall purine consumption from other foods like meats and high protein foods.

Cooking method: Frying shrimp adds more purine-contributing fat and sodium. It’s best to boil, grill or bake shrimp. Discarding the heads and shells further reduces purine content.

Portion size: Larger portions ramp up the total purine intake. Stick to sensible serving sizes around 4-6 oz.

Alcohol consumption: Alcohol impairs the kidneys’ ability to excrete uric acid. Combining shrimp and alcohol intake further raises gout risk.

Medications: Allopurinol and other uric acid lowering drugs help reduce gout attack likelihood. But it’s still wise to limit high purine foods.

Personal health history: Those with frequent gout attacks, kidney problems or other health issues may be more prone to shrimp-triggered flares.

Tips for Eating Shrimp With Gout

If you have gout but want to enjoy occasional shrimp without flares, here are some tips:

• Have just 4-6 oz serving size of shrimp a couple times per week at most
• Opt for boiling, grilling or baking instead of frying
• Remove the shell and head which contains more purines
• Balance out higher purine shrimp meals with low purine foods like veggies
• Stay well hydrated to help flush out uric acid
• Limit alcohol intake which reduces uric acid excretion
• Take any prescribed gout medications to lower uric acid levels

Moderation and making the right food choices can make shrimp a safe part of gout diet. But speak to your doctor if you have any concerns.

The Bottom Line

So what’s the verdict on shrimp and gout?

The moderate purine content of shrimp means that a serving size of 4-6 oz a couple times per week is unlikely to cause problems for most people. But those with recurrent gout attacks or high sensitivity may need to avoid it.

Pay attention to portion size, preparation method, your total diet and other factors that impact gout likelihood. With the right precautions, shrimp in moderation may be safe to enjoy even with gout. But when in doubt, check with your doctor about individual dietary guidelines.

The key is balance – shrimp can be part of an overall gout-friendly diet that focuses on fruits, veggies, low-fat protein and fluids. But it’s wise to avoid overdoing high purine foods.

While giving up some favorite foods may seem difficult, a gout-conscious diet can significantly lower your risk of painful flares. With some adjustments, you can still enjoy shrimp and other protein sources without aggravating gout symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is shrimp considered a high purine food?

No, shrimp is not classified as high purine. It contains a moderate amount of purines, lower than high purine foods like organ meats, fish roe and sardines. But it’s also not very low in purines like most plant foods and dairy products.

Can you eat shrimp if you have high uric acid?

People with high uric acid levels don’t necessarily have to avoid shrimp completely. Having 4-6 oz serving a couple times per week is unlikely to significantly worsen uric acid levels when eaten as part of a balanced low-purine diet. But it’s best to avoid very frequent or large servings.

What happens if you eat shrimp with gout?

Occasional moderate shrimp intake is unlikely to cause gout flares in most people. But eating very large or frequent servings of shrimp may contribute to recurrent gout attacks. Some people are also more sensitive to purines in shrimp. Pay attention to your individual response.

Is shrimp high in omega 3?

Yes, shrimp contains a good amount of anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids. A 3 oz serving provides over 300 mg of omega 3s. So alongside the purines, shrimp offers some benefits for joint and heart health.

Can you eat breaded shrimp with gout?

Breaded shrimp is not the best choice with gout as the breading adds carbs and sodium. Frying also worsens the purine content compared to grilled shrimp. The small amount of added purines from the breadcrumbs are unlikely to cause issues for most people if enjoyed occasionally. But limit portion size and pick healthier cooking methods when possible.

The Bottom Line

In moderation, shrimp can be part of a gout-friendly diet for most people. Pay attention to portion sizes, cooking methods, and your overall dietary purine intake. Avoid very large or frequent servings of shrimp if you are sensitive to purines. With some care, shrimp can still be enjoyed as part of an overall balanced approach to managing gout.