Cucumbers, Squash & Gourds Ranked by Purine Content

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

Lowest Purine Cucumbers, Squash & Gourds

#1cucumber, raw9.4 mg

#2Cucumber9.4 mg

#3balsam pear (goya), raw9.9 mg

#4Balsam pear (goya)9.9 mg

#5squash, zucchini, raw13.1 mg

#6Zucchini13.1 mg

Highest Purine Cucumbers, Squash & Gourds

#6Cucumber9.4 mg

#5cucumber, raw9.4 mg

#4Balsam pear (goya)9.9 mg

#3balsam pear (goya), raw9.9 mg

#2Zucchini13.1 mg

#1squash, zucchini, raw13.1 mg

Category Average: 10.8 mg/100g

The average across 6 Cucumbers, Squash & Gourds 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

Every food in this comparison passes through a three-factor risk model that looks at purines, fructose, and alcohol independently. Purine values are sourced from 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 from USDA SR28. Verdicts apply ACR 2020 limits — Safe means under 50 mg purine and 2 g fructose with no alcohol; Moderate falls between; Avoid exceeds these or contains alcohol. Data quality tiers (T1/T2/T3) are listed on each food's detail page.

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 cucumber good for gout?

Yes. Cucumber measures about 9.4 mg/100g in our database — very low — and is mostly water, which supports hydration. Among 6 cucumber, squash, and gourd entries with measured values, all fall between 9.4 and 13.1 mg/100g. These are some of the safest vegetables for gout, useful as salad bases, snacks, and cooking vegetables.

Which squash is lowest in purines?

Butternut squash measures about 9.4 mg/100g in our database, with cucumber at 9.4 mg/100g and bitter melon (goya) near 9.9 mg/100g. Zucchini is the highest of the group at about 13.1 mg/100g — still very low. There is no purine reason to avoid any of these; choose by taste and preparation.

Can I eat bitter melon with gout?

Yes. Bitter melon (goya) measures about 9.9 mg/100g in our database, similar to cucumber and well within the low band. It is a common stir-fry ingredient in Okinawan cooking. The bitterness comes from compounds unrelated to purines, so there is no gout-specific reason to avoid it, and its high water content fits a hydration-focused diet.