Purines are organic compounds, which create uric acid on breakdown in the body. While your body needs uric acid for blood vessel health and other processes, a buildup of excess uric acid can lead to gout, diabetes and even cardiovascular disease. Purines consumed in the diet account for about 50 percent of the uric acid produced in the body. Therefore, avoiding foods high in purines or following a modified purine diet may help improve uric acid levels.

Chocolate and cocoa are low in purines and thus, help lowering uric acid.

Restrict meat/fish/poultry intake

Avoid alcohol and processed foods

Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables

Restrict organ meats such as liver, kidney, heart

Have fresh cherries, strawberries, blueberries and other red-blue berries

Bananas are good for those with high uric acid

Tomatoes help remove toxins, especially uric acid, from the system.

Include vegetables including cabbage and parsley into your diet.

Foods high in bromelain like pineapple also help lowering uric acid.

Foods high in vitamin C like red cabbage, red bell peppers, tangerines, mandarins, oranges, potatoes reduce uric acid levels by increasing its excretion in the urine.

Consuming low-fat dairy products and a moderate amount of protein also helps.

Have complex carbohydrates like breads and cereals

Exercise regularly

Those with high uric acid can also have coffee and tea.

Being overweight appears to be the most common determining factor for excess uric acid production. Therefore, it is very important to maintain a healthy weight. Consider the calorific value of the foods that do not contain purines and aim to eat a healthy well-balanced diet. Fatty foods such as butter and cream should be avoided. When you begin to lose weight, the kidneys are more able to eliminate uric acid and in some cases, the production of uric acid by the liver is also reduced.