Can Chocolate Cause Gout

Gout is an unpleasant disease that has negatively affected humans for thousands of years. In fact, it is the oldest and most commonly referenced disease throughout history. While medical science has come up with many ways to relieve the symptoms of gout and prevent serious disorders, we still don’t have an all-around cure for it and millions of people are still affected by it.

If you’ve ever suffered from gout, you know that your diet can be partially to blame and that you are better off staying away from certain foods. But is chocolate one of those foods? Have your tasty desserts been the reason for the pain in your toe? The answer isn’t quite black and white.

Pure cocoa is not generally something that would be associated with gout. However, many of the treats that are made with cocoa have a lot of other things added to it, and these are usually the culprits that can trigger a gout flareup.

Milk chocolate is one of the biggest problems when it comes to gout, as dairy is known as a trigger for many people. This is especially true for high-fat dairy products, but low-fat dairy products can actually be beneficial. Still, milk chocolate bars are generally a no-go for those who suffer from gout.

Another major issue for gout sufferers is the amount of sugar in many of the foods that they eat. High-fructose corn syrup is especially nasty and can trigger a gout flareup almost immediately. Many cheaper chocolate bars from the supermarket contain a lot of HCFS and should be avoided if you are worried about suffering an attack.

If you suffer from gout but still want to eat chocolate, you should focus on finding pure, unsweetened chocolate with as little sugar as possible. Cacao nibs and unsweetened cocoa powder contain zero sugar and can act as a tasty treat without having the risk of a flareup. In fact, pure cacao can lower uric acid in your body, which is a big cause of gout. It also has antioxidants known as polyphenols that can reduce inflammation. Many gout attacks come as a second-hand result of inflammation in the body, so lowering your inflammation levels is very beneficial.

Certain chemicals in chocolate can also help lower your blood pressure which is another way to reduce your chance of a gout attack. Many people with gout often experience it during times of high blood pressure.

Chocolate alone cannot cause gout – in fact, it may help to prevent it in its purest form. However, you must do your due diligence in researching the chocolate brands and products that you are consuming. If they have a bunch of additives, especially ones that are high in sugar, you may be putting yourself at risk for an attack. Instead, opt for pure cacao products or try to find those that have little or no sugar, and make sure to stay away from anything with high fructose corn syrup.

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