Gout patients should strictly control the intake of purines in their diet, which is common knowledge. However, many reports have labeled spinach as forbidden due to its high purine content. So, where does spinach actually rank on the list of vegetables by purine content?
Every 100 grams of spinach contains 25 to 150 milligrams of purines, classifying it as a food with a moderate purine content, not the highest. Moreover, purines are highly soluble in water. If blanched in water before cooking, about 50% to 90% of the purines can be dissolved and removed. As long as the portion is controlled, around 80 to 100 grams per meal, eating spinach is beneficial and harmless.
Besides gout, many other diseases also put spinach on their blacklist, with nephritis and kidney stones being the most prominent. The most publicized component in spinach is its oxalic acid content, but oxalic acid is not exclusive to spinach. Green vegetables, chocolate, pecans, oranges, and sour plums commonly consumed in daily life also contain oxalic acid.
Some studies suggest that the oxalic acid in spinach can affect the absorption of calcium in the body. However, as long as you have a reasonable and balanced diet and ensure a daily calcium intake of 800 to 1000 milligrams, the body's calcium needs can be met even if some calcium binds with oxalic acid.
When eating spinach, maintaining adequate water intake or consuming alkaline foods will further dilute the oxalic acid and help metabolize it out of the body. Avoiding the simultaneous consumption of large amounts of oxalate-rich foods, such as almonds, nuts, cocoa, rhubarb, and tea, can also prevent excessive oxalate levels.
In addition, spinach contains a large amount of plant crude fiber, which promotes intestinal peristalsis, aiding bowel movements, and stimulates pancreatic secretion to help with digestion. It is also beneficial for treating conditions like hemorrhoids, chronic pancreatitis, constipation, and anal fissures.
Eat spinach in moderation. There is no need to avoid it altogether. Patients with gout and other conditions can eat spinach.