Bananas are quite possibly the perfect food to include in your gout diet. They come in their own package (a bright yellow jacket) making them easy to carry with you while on the go. Bananas are available year-round, and are commonly offered at convenience stores and even airports.
Why Bananas Are Good For Gout Prevention
Bananas are very high in several nutrients — potassium, vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin C, and pectin — that help to reduce uric acid levels and minimize inflammation:
- Potassium dissolves uric acid crystals, by raising the pH of blood. A higher blood pH helps keep uric acid in a liquid state so it can be eliminated in urine, instead of crystallizing in the joints and causing a gout attack. Eating one large banana per day provides approximately 1000 mg of potassium, enough to help maintain the desired blood pH.
- Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, helps to reduce the tissue swelling, or inflammation, related to gout pain. Vitamin B6 also helps prevent kidney stones, so that the kidneys stay healthy and effective at eliminating uric acid.
- Manganese, a trace mineral, plays a key role in reducing inflammation and gout pain, in digesting proteins, and in minimizing insulin resistance which has been linked to elevated uric acid levels.
- Vitamin C intake has been shown to effectively reduce uric acid levels. Vitamin C also helps the body produce the collagen needed to rebuild joint tissues after a gout attack.
- Pectin is a soluble fiber to keep the digestive system moving smoothly, so the body can absorb more nutrients from the foods eaten.
. . .
. . .
How to Eat Bananas for Gout
- Eat 1-2 bananas per day. Don’t exceed this number, since bananas are relatively high in sugar content.
- The nutritional qualities of a banana increase as it ripens, so eat those spotted brown bananas instead of throwing them away.
- If you don’t care for the flavor of raw banana, try hiding it in your morning smoothie, cooking it into oatmeal, or smothering it in peanut butter for a snack.
☆ Bottom Line: Eat 1-2 bananas per day and you are likely to have fewer gout attacks!
