Modification of Dietary Habits for Prevention of Gout in Japanese People: Gout and Food Intake

In Japan, most of gout patients are adults, and the prevalence of gout has increased markedly since the 1960s. This phenomenon is thought to be attributed to the westernization of the Japanese diet since 1955. Monitoring the intake of nutrients and foods in Japanese people is essential in the prevention of gout. The objective of this article is to propose a preventive method for gout through the evaluation of recent dietary habits in Japanese people. In this article, the author shows the relationship between the number of gout patients and food intake in Japanese people and suggests modification of food intake for the prevention of gout in Japanese people referencing the results of clinical research reported. The author used the data of the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan for the number of gout patients (1986-2016) and the data of the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan (1946-2017) for the intake of foods. The relationship between the number of gout patients and food intake in Japanese people was examined. Modification of food intake for the prevention of gout is suggested as follows: limiting the intake of meat, organ meats high in purine content (e.g., liver, kidney), confectioneries (sugary foods including desserts and sweets), and sugar-sweetened beverages; limiting alcohol beverage consumption; limiting or decreasing intake of oils and fats, and seasonings and condiments (soy paste, soy sauce, and sauce); encourage intake of fiber-rich foods (e.g., cereals, whole grains, high-fiber bread), eggs, milk and dairy products (especially low-fat dairy products), legumes, seeds and nuts, fruit, vegetables, and coffee. The above dietary habits for the prevention of gout with proper choices of foods may also play a helpful role in the prevention of gout.