Weight

• Overweight people with gout symptoms will improve their condition if they lose weight.
  
  

Alcohol

• Beer and hard liquor intake should be reduced or eliminated. The medical journal "Lancet" published research in 2004 showing that wine consumption does not produce as much uric acid.
  
  

Dairy

• Skim milk and low-fat cheese and yogurt can decrease the frequency of gout attacks.
  
  

Purines

• Diets that limit purines, which break down into uric acid, can be very helpful. Meat, poultry and fish are the main culprits, particularly organ meat. Legumes such as dried peas and beans also are high in purines.
  
  

Water

• People with gout should drink at least 6 cups of water daily to flush away uric acid.