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Last reviewed: 2026-09-03 • Editorial Standards

The 10 Highest Purine Foods in Our Database

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

Lowest Purine All foods

#1egg, chicken, raw0.0 mg
#2egg, quail, raw0.0 mg
#3milk0.0 mg
#4vegetarian 'quail's eggs'0.0 mg
#5shochu (japanese spirit liquor)0.0 mg
#6milk, 2%0.0 mg
#7milk, reduced fat, fluid, 2% milkfat, with added vitamin a and vitamin d0.0 mg
#8milk, 1%0.0 mg
#9milk, skim0.0 mg
#10milk, lowfat, fluid, 1% milkfat, with added vitamin a and vitamin d0.0 mg

Highest Purine All foods

#763shrimp, sakura, dried748.9 mg
#762Sakura shrimp (dried)749.1 mg
#761Spirulina1076.8 mg
#760Anchovy (dried)1108.6 mg
#759anchovy, dried1109.0 mg
#758mackerel, japanese, skin, raw1175.0 mg
#757Beer yeast product1206.2 mg
#756seabass, japanese, skin, raw1399.7 mg
#755Beer yeast2995.7 mg
#754Chlorella3182.7 mg

Category Average: 105.9 mg/100g

The average across 763 All foods 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

What foods are highest in purines?
In our database, the highest-purine items are typically organ meats and select seafood — for example Chlorella at 3182.7 mg/100g and Beer yeast at 2995.7 mg/100g. Foods above 150 mg/100g are classed as high-risk and are generally limited or avoided in gout care.
Do high-purine foods always cause flares?
No single food guarantees a flare. Gout attacks are the result of cumulative urate load, and high-purine foods contribute more per serving. People with well-controlled urate may tolerate small amounts; during an active flare, higher-risk foods are usually best avoided. Individual tolerance varies.
Are all seafoods high in purines?
No. Seafood varies widely: some fish and shellfish exceed 150 mg/100g, but several white fish and lower-purine options fall in the moderate range. The FoodCanEat database lists seafood items individually so you can compare specific types.
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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