BBC's Dr. Xand warns to 'steer clear' of popular dinner options that could raise gout risk

BBC Morning Live's resident doctor, Dr. Xand van Tulleken, warns people that consuming this meal regularly can increase rise of a painful disease.

A resident BBC doctor has warned that everyday foods and drinks might be increasing the risk of gout for many people.

He advised that the enjoyment of a popular meal, often consumed on Sundays and during Christmas, should be approached with caution. While we all love a dollop of gravy on our roast dinners, it could actually be bad news for those with the "terribly painful" health condition.

Whilst everything in moderation is fine, you don't need to avoid certain foods unless its due to a health condition or allergy, the GP has said that if you have gout or at risk of getting gout, there are foods you should cut down on, reports the Gloucestershire Live.

Speaking on BBC Morning Live, Dr Xand van Tulleken revealed that: "Gout is terribly terribly painful. Arthritis is painful in general, but gout is what you would almost call exquisitely painful. That kind of pain that patients describe as not even allowing a bedsheet to touch gently touch their toe because it will set it off."

The NHS states that gout is a form of arthritis that leads to sudden, intense joint pain. While painkillers can alleviate discomfort, making healthier lifestyle choices can help prevent future episodes, enabling individuals to enjoy a better quality of life and reduce the risk of flare-ups.

Dr. Xand explained that gout is caused by "crystals of a chemical called uric acid forming in your joints. When you break down food, one of the byproducts produced is uric acid, which is derived from a chemical called purines."

A food high in purines is oily fish, he warns, adding that "if you have gout, if you’re predisposed to gout, if you’ve had flare-ups in the past, it’s worth really moderating your intake of that and seafood".

In addition to fish and other seafood, you should also avoid or limit yeast extracts. This includes items like "gravy and yeast spread," which are best to steer clear of. If you enjoy gravy with your Sunday roast or Christmas dinner, you might want to reduce the frequency of these meals, or the amount you use.

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Alongside these common food items and sauces, Dr. Xand emphasised that: "Booze dehydrates you, and beer can have a lot of purines in it. The picture I’m trying to paint for you is that yes, there are foods that you should cut down on and avoid, so offal, meat, and fish containing a lot of purines" are just a few he recommends.

He adds: "Increasing your levels of fruit and vegetables not only don’t contain purines, but also they are anti-inflammatory. They improve your gut health and reduce your chance of getting diabetes and moderate the effects of insulin and sugar in your body.

"Staying hydrated helps your kidneys flush things out so doing exercise - of course you can’t do exercise when you’re toe feels like it’s going to explode - but a general background level of exercise will reduce your level of inflammation", he expands.

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Gout symptoms to know

• Sudden severe pain in a joint – usually your big toe, but it can be in other joints in your feet, ankles, hands, wrists, elbows or knees
• Hot, swollen, red skin over the affected joint – redness may be harder to see on black or brown skin.

Dr Xand concluded his warning by saying: "The important thing to say is if you have a hot, red tender joint that could be something else, that could be infected joint, so it is definitely important to seek care urgently. Speak to your GP.

"You make get put on antibiotics. Even if those don’t work and it turns out to be gout, it’s not unwise to try that because it can be so dangerous to have an infected joint."

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