Can gout patients eat eggs?

I am 45 years old and have stage two gout. I really like eggs but I don't know if I can eat them and how much I should eat? (Manh Tuan, Hanoi)

Reply :

In gout, excess uric acid accumulates in the body, forming crystals in the joints and causing acute gout attacks. A balanced, healthy diet for gout patients includes all the necessary nutrients, but limits purine-rich foods such as red meat, seafood, animal organs, etc. because when purines are broken down, uric acid is created. They are also foods with high protein content, leading to increased uric acid levels in the blood, thereby causing gout.

Eggs are a good source of protein for people with gout because they are low in purines. Eggs are a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids that the human body needs. They also contain healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Boiled eggs are often considered healthier than other ways of preparing eggs because they are cooked without oil and butter. How you cook and eat eggs can affect the nutritional value.

For example, egg whites are higher in protein and vitamin B3 but lower in calories, cholesterol, vitamins, and minerals than yolks. One egg white contains about 3.6 grams of protein, 0 grams of fat, and 18 calories. On the other hand, the yolk is higher in fat and calories. It is also higher in vitamins, containing all the vitamins except vitamin C. One egg yolk provides about 2.8 grams of protein; 4.9 grams of fat, and 56 calories.

People with gout can still eat eggs in moderation. Photo: Freepik — People with gout can still eat eggs in moderation. Photo: *Freepik*

According to the USDA Nutrient Database, hard-boiled eggs are slightly higher in protein and contain 13 fewer calories than scrambled eggs. Overall, the nutritional profile of the two remains very similar.

Managing your purine intake is key to preventing future gout attacks. Low-purine foods that pair well with eggs include: low-fat dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt); fruits and juices; potatoes; vegetables; breads: healthy fats and oils (olive oil, avocado).

There are no official recommendations for how many eggs a person with gout should eat. Eating up to 12 eggs per week is safe and will not have any negative health effects. Additionally, the American Heart Association recommends eating one egg or two egg whites per day as part of a healthy diet.

Based on current research, most healthy adults can safely eat one to two eggs per day. If you have heart disease, high cholesterol, or other health problems, consider talking to your doctor or dietitian about how many eggs are right for you.

If you have digestive problems such as nausea, bloating, or abdominal pain after eating eggs, you may have an intolerance to this food and should talk to your doctor immediately for appropriate testing or an elimination diet to determine if eggs are causing your symptoms. If you have an egg allergy, avoid eating eggs and foods containing eggs to prevent a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. If you are allergic to chicken eggs, you should also avoid eggs from other poultry such as goose, turkey, quail, and duck.

MSc. BSNT Nguyen Thi Phuong
Department of Orthopedics, Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi

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