Seafood is a rich source of vitamins and minerals that are of huge health benefits to mankind ranging from niacin to thiamine, as well as purine. No wonder, seafood is highly consumed regularly all over the world. However, due to some minerals present in certain seafood, it is very important to either avoid or reduce the intake of such seafood, particularly seafood high in purine.
Although, without a doubt, the general health benefits of consuming seafood outweigh the risk of the purines present in them. With this in mind, in this article, we’ll be sharing with you seafood high in purine. Want to know the kind of seafood that you should stay away from? Ensure that you read till the end.
What are Purines?
Amino acids are the main building block of the human body. And to make amino acids, purines are significant substances needed for this to occur.Â
Several foods and seafood contain purines and are available in different quantities. They are usually broken down into uric acid ( a by-waste product that accompanies urine when passing out of the body).
Note that when uric acid is too much in the blood, it can result in a condition known as hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is known as a harbinger of gout – a rheumatic disease that allows excess uric acid to form small needle-like crystals in soft tissue and joints). Hence, we recommend that you avoid overconsumption of seafood high in purine.
The 17 Seafood High in Purine That You Should Avoid Today
Here are the kind of seafood high in purine:
- Anchovies
- Tuna
- TroutÂ
- Sardine
- Halibut
- Salmon
- Crab
- Lobster
Here is the seafood that is moderately abundant in purines.
- Scallops
- Haddock
- Herring
- Carp
- Snapper
- Japanese sea bass
- Oyster
- Mackerel
- Yellow striped flounder
Anchovies
Anchovies are small fish that are highly abundant in purines, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, thiamin, niacin, Vitamins A and B12, selenium, and more. 100 grams of anchovies filet has about 126 milligrams of purine while in anchovies, 100 grams contains 109 milligrams of purine. We know how tasty this seafood can be; however, for persons who are prone to the risk of diabetes, we recommend that they should skip this seafood.
Tuna
Tuna is one seafood high in purine, and other vital nutrients needed for the body. Notably, the high amount of purines, mercury, and sodium present in tuna can trigger a gout attack in an individual. This is why we recommend that you curtail the way you eat tuna, by consuming this seafood once in a while (particularly, for pregnant women). Additionally, 100 grams of tuna in oil contains 75 milligrams of purine.
Trout
Trout is another seafood that is extremely high in purine. 100 grams of trout filet contains 131 milligrams of purine. This is why it is best to eat trout moderately, and not so frequently to reduce the risk of gout. Although trout is rich in other essential minerals and vitamins that the body needs.
Sardine
Sardine is seafood high in purine, as well as important nutrients and vitamins required by the body to be in good shape, including omega-3 fatty acids, calories, carbohydrates, selenium, protein, and more. 100 grams of canned sardines will provide 145 milligrams of purine.
Halibut
Halibut is another seafood high in purine. About 100 grams of halibut contains 85 milligrams of purine. Although it is also rich in proteins, carbohydrates, thiamine, niacin, vitamins A and B12, selenium, and more. It is still very important to reduce the intake of this seafood to avoid getting gout.
Salmon
Salmon is a very delicious seafood that houses lots of beneficial nutrients and vitamins for the human body. Nonetheless, It is also a seafood high in purine which can cause hyperuricemia when consumed too much.
Crab
Crab is a seafood that is very rich in purine and other important minerals and nutrients needed for the body ( including protein, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, potassium, selenium, and more). Regardless of these essential nutrients, it is paramount not to overconsume this seafood. This is because about 100 grams of crab meat contains 152 milligrams of purines.
Lobster
Lobster is one of the several kinds of seafood high in purine. Per 100 grams of lobster contains 102 milligrams of purine. Nonetheless, this low-calorie seafood is highly abundant in proteins, copper, selenium, zinc, and more, which is very beneficial to human health.Â
Scallops
Scallops are excellent sources of protein, iron, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B12, potassium, and more. Indeed, they are of health benefits to the body, however, remain seafood high in purine (moderately high).100 grams of one serving of scallops contains 138 milligrams of purine. Hence, we recommend that you reduce the intake of scallops to at least once a week.Â
Haddock
Haddock is a seafood that contains nutrients that are of several health significance to the body. However, it is also a kind of seafood that is moderately high in purine which makes it quite a threat to your health to eat it regularly. Per 100 grams this seafood contains 58 milligrams of purine.
Herring
Herring is one seafood that is moderately high in purine, as 100 grams of this seafood contains 99 milligrams of purine. It is also very rich in sodium, cholesterol, carbohydrates, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and more, all carrying out important duties in the body. However, you should still resist the urge to eat herring regularly.
Carp
Another seafood moderately high in purine is Carp. It contains 63 milligrams of purine in one serving which is about 100 grams. Carp is also abundant in proteins and omega-3 fatty acids, which play a vital role in human health.
Snapper
Snapper is a type of seafood that is moderately high in purine. Hence, it can be taken two or three times a week as long as you are not consuming any other seafood high in purine. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, magnesium, and Vitamins D and E.
Japanese Sea Bass
Japanese sea bass is another excellent source of moderately high purine. Its purine content per 100 grams is 119 milligrams. It is also rich in fat-soluble vitamins, phosphorus, retinol, and more.
Oyster
Oyster is another seafood high in purine. 100 grams of oyster contains about 90 milligrams of purine. It is also very abundant in copper, zinc, manganese, and vitamin D.
Mackerel
Mackerel is one of the several types of seafood high in purine. 100 grams of mackerel has about 71 milligrams of purine. Mackerel is also an excellent source of protein and essential vitamins that the body needs to remain healthy.
Yellow Striped Flounder
Yellow striped flounder is another seafood high in purine. It also contains proteins, calories, total saturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, and more. However, as rich as this seafood might tend to be, we still recommend that you eat it at least twice a week.
Conclusion
The excess intake of Purines can cause a life-threatening disease known as gout. This is why we recommend that you reduce the intake of seafood high in purine.
Note that apart from the purine-rich seafood mentioned and discussed in the previous section, there are still several other types of seafood high in purine that you should avoid.
