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Last reviewed: 2026-09-03 • Editorial Standards

Crab Ranked by Purine Content

Evidence-based comparison — data from USDA+ODS-NIH PURINE DATABASE Release 2 (March 2025)

Lowest Purine Crab

#1crab, red king, raw99.5 mg
#2Red king crab99.6 mg
#3Snow crab136.4 mg
#4crab, snow, raw136.5 mg
#5Crab Ovary152.2 mg
#6crab ovary, raw152.4 mg

Highest Purine Crab

#6crab, red king, raw99.5 mg
#5Red king crab99.6 mg
#4Snow crab136.4 mg
#3crab, snow, raw136.5 mg
#2Crab Ovary152.2 mg
#1crab ovary, raw152.4 mg

Category Average: 129.4 mg/100g

The average across 6 Crab foods with lab-measured data. Foods below this average are better-than-typical choices within this category.

How to Use This Ranking

The purine ranking is sorted from lowest to highest. Rank #1 is the lowest-purine food in the category. Foods in the top half (above median) should be consumed with more awareness of portion and frequency. The difference between adjacent ranks varies: in some categories, rank #5 and #10 might be only 10 mg apart; in others, the gap can be 100+ mg. Always check the actual milligram value, not just the position. Rankings do not account for fructose or alcohol — use individual food pages for a complete risk assessment.

ACR 2020 Guideline Context

The American College of Rheumatology recommends that gout patients focus on purine awareness rather than complete food group elimination. Within any category, there is a wide purine range. The goal is to shift toward lower-purine choices within categories you already eat, rather than eliminating entire food groups. This ranking helps you identify which specific items to prioritize and which to limit.

Japanese guidelines recommend under 400 mg of total dietary purines per day. Using this ranking, you can estimate how much of budget each food uses per typical serving.

How This Comparison Is Built

This comparison scores every food on three independent axes — purine content, fructose, and alcohol. Purine figures rely on the USDA+ODS-NIH PURINE DATABASE Release 2 (March 2025) and Kaneko et al. (Biol Pharm Bull 37(5):709-721, 2014, PMID: 24553148); fructose data comes from USDA SR28. Ratings follow ACR 2020: Safe when purine is under 50 mg and fructose under 2 g with no alcohol, Moderate between these, Avoid beyond, or whenever alcohol appears. Per-food data quality is flagged T1 (lab-measured), T2 (measured plus consensus), or T3 (category estimate).

This comparison is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual tolerance to purines and fructose varies. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance. Last reviewed: 2026-09-03.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is crab bad for gout?
Crab is moderate in purines — lower than shrimp and most small oily fish, but not a low-purine food. Among 6 crab entries with measured values, levels range from about 99.5 mg/100g to 152.4 mg/100g for crab ovary. A normal serving occasionally fits most gout plans.
Which crab is lowest in purines?
Red king crab is the lowest in our database at about 99.5 mg/100g, with snow crab close behind. Crab ovary and roe run much higher. If you enjoy crab, stick to the body and leg meat and skip the roe, butter-heavy sauces, and fried preparations.
Can I eat crab legs with gout?
in normal portions. Crab leg meat is moderate-purine and generally well tolerated by people with gout. A single serving of leg meat a couple of times a week is reasonable. The risks are mostly in what comes with it — melted butter, Old Bay salt, and crab cakes add fat and sodium rather than purines.
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References

• ACR 2020 Guideline for the Management of Gout
• USDA+ODS-NIH PURINE DATABASE Release 2, March 2025
• Kaneko K, et al. Biol Pharm Bull 37(5):709-721, 2014. PMID: 24553148

Medical Disclaimer: This website provides informational content only and does not constitute medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-03