A Banana a Day Keeps The Gout Away!
Bananas originated in Southeast Asia particularly in Malaysia around 4000 years ago then spreading to the Philippines and India. Today the Americas are the largest producers of bananas being brought over here by Portuguese explorers mainly grown in Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico. Bananas are a unique type of fruit that has a creamy flesh which is firm yet sweet and can be harvested year-round.
One banana has about 105 calories and is low on sugar but very high in vitamins B6, vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, folic acid and potassium; which is very beneficial to the gout sufferer and should be part of your daily diet. I personally eat one banana a day without fail. Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium containing over 400 mg of potassium and just 1 mg of sodium. They may help you maintain normal blood pressure, heart function and support healthy uric acid levels.
Bananas may assist in converting uric acid into liquid form which can then be filtered by the kidneys and excreted through your urine may help avoid the crystallization in your joints causing gout symptoms. In addition, one banana contains about 24 mcg of folate or folic acid which may also help control uric acid levels as well as repair broken tissue in the joints. Furthermore, they contain about 10.3 mg of vitamin C which may also help support healthy uric acid levels and may alleviate symptoms of gout.
A Gout Diet Plan is Key!
However, bananas cannot beat gout alone, a gout diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low protein/purines and low fat is key! I know some gout sufferers who claim they’ve eaten about 8 bananas a day during a gout attack for 3-4 days in order to alleviate the gout symptoms and have confirmed that it does work fast. Regardless, make sure to eat at least one banana a day to help control uric acid levels that may help avoid those painful gout attacks. On a side-note bananas are also alkaline in nature.
To best consume bananas, make sure for it to be fully ripened to benefit from the most antioxidants. Research conducted from the University of Innsbruck in Austria that fruit that is fully ripened, almost to the point of spoilage has the highest concentration of antioxidants and levels actually increase as it ripens.
One of my favorite ways to eat a banana is with peanut butter and 2 slices of whole wheat bread as a peanut butter and banana sandwich. This was Elvis’ favorite food and is widely considered a comfort food for kids and adults, some even add honey into the sandwich to sweeten it up! I also add banana in my oatmeal sometimes for breakfast or just eat one plainly. In some countries more notably in the Carribean islands, bananas used for cooking may be called plantains and it is delicious when baked in the oven. Whichever way you like to eat it, make sure it’s on your grocery list every week.
44 replies to "Gout and Bananas"
Bonjour
Je suis un Canadien âgé de 54 ans je souffre de goutte j’ai pris Colchichine et allupurinol depuis 5 ans mais je fais toujours de crise. Je ne mange pas de viande, mais je prends quelques fois un à deux verres de vin. C’est ce qui fait que je connais toujours ces crises? Aussi, je suis pêcheur je mange assez de poisson carpe ces poissons ne sont-ils pas à l’origine des crises de goutte qui me dérangent deux à trois fois dans un moi. SVP répondez moi
Au debut des fois c’est normal de effectuez des crises parce que les crystaux fondrent. Essaye d’arrêter de boire de l’alcool pour les prochains mois and essay de limitez la viande et le poisson, pas besoin de manger plus que 4 a 6 onces par jour.
Hi, I suffered back pain when I was 18 yrs old and now I’m 23 but I didn’t notice that as time goes by my joints and fingers are aching. I thought it was an ordinary pain, then yesterday I found out that I have a high uric acid in my laboratory test, may I ask if bananas are good to lower my uric acid? so that I will add it on my diet plan. Thank you!
Hi Irene!
Did you read the article? Bananas are fine in a gout diet. I have one every other day.
[…] Gout and Bananas […]
I eat 6 bananas a day, my diet consists of salads and chicken and a few eggs on the weekend. I’m on 300mg of allopurinol a day and suffer from attacks all the time, don’t drink, don’t smoke, no pork or red meats. I wish the doc could figure this out, had this since I was 26. I’m 49 now.
Hi Rob!
If your doctor can’t figure it out, seek the advice of 2 qualified rheumatologists instead, specialists in arthritic conditions like gout. See what they say and take it from there. Sounds that you might need to increase your allopurinol dosage.
High fructrose and sugar and caffeine cause gout, as well. It’s not only one thing that can throw the body off balance.
I’m in the same boat as you.
Take a fast from all sugars, fruits, and caffeine for a week and do a baking soda flush with lemons or limes(0 fructrose)
then add LOW fructrose fruit, slowly.
You may want to check out a-c carbide by Standard Process. It is designed specifically for anything kidney related.
Hi Spiro,
I had my first flare attack in 2014, was so unbearable that I had to go to the ER. Took some meds and went well, now it’s 2018 and all of a sudden I had a flare attack again. But this time took no meds and just overdose myself with vitamin C (3grams /day) and lots of water, Cherries and Celery too helped a lot in reducing the swelling and pain… thanks for your site.
What’s up Spiro!
My name is Sean and im very excited following your program.Thank you for the new new ebook!!! I was on a regiment no or very low sugar period, well in staying with that but im going to do your. 1 banana a day will keep gout away. That’s the highest sugar source for me.
I’m still reading the program and will probably have more questions. Thank you Spiro and have a great day!!!
No problem Sean and welcome aboard!!
Thank you so much for all the helpful advice on gout.
[…] Bananas Raise Uric Acid? […]
Spiro, I learned so much from this website since I had my first gout attack. I was limping from the car all the way to the doctor thinking it was simply a sprain. The more I read about it the more it hit me that this is a lifelong journey and that nobody else is responsible for my well being but me.
Anyhow, I guess what you have in the ebook is more informational than the website. Is there any chance for production of an actual book? Could be really useful on days where I don’t know what food to prepare based on what’s available
Cheers,
Angelo
Hi Angelo!
Yes my book is also available on Amazon.
Thanks for your comment!
Hi.
I’ve now had the stiff ankle for the last 10 days. It sometimes gets slightly better then start to hurt again. I am taking Naproxen and have been drinking 3 litres of water a day. I have been taking sodium bicarbonate. Is there anything else you can suggest please. I haven’t touched meat for the last 7 days or alcohol.
I’ve tried sodium bicarbonate. I am eating brown pasta, potatoes, brown rice every day. Bananas. Apples. 2 cups cofee.
Regards.
Hi Harry!
We are all different. If your condition is worse or at a higher degree compared to somebody else, then it’s very possible that there’s nothing more that you can do diet-wise. Go see your doctor and see what he/she recommends. The truth is you must always continue to eat well as you are doing cause you don’t want to complicate your gout with other related diseases that you are at a higher risk of developing like diabetes, kidney stones, heart disease etc…
Hi.
I’m in the middle of a gout attack and was wondering what can I eat. I had some chicken yesterday and it seemed my ankle really swell up even more.
Regard
Hi Harry!
You want to eat more vegetables, whole grain breads, whole grain rice or pasta and drink only water. These are foods that won’t stress your liver and kidneys that much and burn clean. Water is key to flush uric acid as much as possible.
I am in the middle of a gout attack on my right heel. It’s painful but I can walk. I have had tumeric and water on an empty stomach. Then I had acv with warm water hour later. Followed by sodium bicarbonate. I’ve had 3 bananas and pineapple.
What else can I eat while on a attack. Please can you also tell me what else I can eat for the pain to subside.
I had a lot of processed meat last week while on holiday and 2 days ago my pain started. I firstly blamed it on a sweet potato I had but I have read sweet potatoes are good. Is this correct.
I appreciate all your help.
Regards.
Hi Harry!
Thank you for your comment!
Yes the processed meat sounds like the likely culprit for your attack. As for sweet potatoe, not really, it is a vegetable.
Check out my post of natural gout home remedies and implement whatever you like.
I have had gout for many years, my doctor put me on allopurinol one tablet a day but I still had some bad attacks, I decided to try taking 2 tablets on one day and one the next day, I kept this up and have never had another attack, my doctor was ok about me doing this and he prescribed the extra tablets for although I’m sure he didn’t like me self prescribing, I think sometimes you just have to think for yourself.
I get a gout attack every 5 years, want to
Know the secret?? 30 to 50 Mg of protein a day, no more than that. Cherries , ripe bananas 4 a day.
I was diagnosed with chronic gout three years ago and fell into the doctors pill regiment. The one pill that I will never go without is the one that removes the crystals once they have formed. My attacks are now fewer each year.
I am on the Caveman diet and watch what I eat on a regular basis. Bananas are around once in a while and I intend on keeping them around more often than not these days.
What drug removes crystals once they form?
[…] bananas are high in potassium they help convert uric acid into liquid form which is then transferred to your kidneys which filter […]
[…] you know that avocados have more potassium per 100 grams than bananas? This is very important for gout sufferers since potassium helps excrete uric acid from the body. […]
A banana is a great snack and works well to eat after a workout session.
[…] Learn about bananas in a gout diet — Experiments on … – A banana a day keeps the gout away! Bananas originated in Southeast Asia particularly in Malaysia around 4000 years ago then spreading to the Philippines and India. […]
I like banana sandwiches on rye with Organic Peanut Coconut Spread …it is a bit thinner than normal peanut butter..but to die for…
Ingredients:..Just Pure Organic Coconut and Peanuts…
I suffered with gout for many years, however; I haven’t had an attack in about 2 years. I stopped taking allopurinol and drinking ginger ale. I repaced my two to three glasses of ginger ale per day with water. Also, I eat at least one banana a day. Mt diet hasn’t changed as I eat high purine foods in moderation. Love those cherries…but..the washroom calls.
Found a book online a few years ago that was very helpful.
Steve
Beware Steve! I was in the same boat as you…last attack I had was over 2 years ago…brought on by a steak and lobster fest.
I am fit, slim, don’t smoke, exercise, and watch what I eat/drink. For no known reason, except that perhaps I had stop taking my daily 200mg Allopurinol about 2 months prior, I had a flare-up. I had stressed my big toe while working..banged it up a bit..but nothing else I can think of that could contribute.
My big toe joint suffered 40+years of soccer, and one 12v battery being dropped on it about 35 years ago..ya..ow. Like my doc said…i’m now paying the arthritic price.
Do ripened bananas have more sugar/fructose?
Yes David! But even still, the sugar/fructose from fruit in general is metabolized better compared to other foods.
How about eating bananas with Nutella?
Is chocolate bad too?
Nutella is full of sugar and it can aggravate your gout. See my post on sugar –>https://goutandyou.com/sugar-fructose-high-fructose-corn-syrup-and-gout/
Hello sir, I have acid I took so many pills but not help me n I working at gas station whole day stand job so at night it’s deadly pain in my foots some me that it’s gout or some uric acid before I got my blood report it’s said that it’s uric can tell how I can treat myself
Hi Ranjeet!
Go visit your doctor as soon as possible, all I can offer you is dietary and lifestyle advice which you can find here on this website and in my book.
Hi Ranjeet,
If your uric acid is in the 8 or higher range, do take colchicine (reduces inflammation, stop it when pain subsides) and 2 allopurinol tablets 2 x per day which reduces uric acid. Afterwards reduce to 2 allopurinol in the morning before meal. Put your feet up, and maybe buy a tube of voltaren gel. You, like I, live in Asia, where we can self-medicate from the pharmacy. Eat sensible, get turmeric powder and mix that with some milk or coconut milk, it will provide relief. Be well !
I use Brggs organic .non filtered AC with mother for gout..2 tbs in water twice a day..it really works…also soak a tissue in AC place on sore joint for 10 min…amazing relief
had gout flare ups 4 episodes within 4 months
[…] A banana a day sure keeps the gout away! […]
[…] A banana a day keeps the gout away! […]