What foods cause the buildup of uric acid?

Foods that cause the buildup of uric acid include mackerel, liver, kidney and other organ meats, beer, dried legumes, mussels and anchovies. These foods are high in purine, which is broken down into uric acid.

In a healthy person, uric acid is kept in balance in the body. The kidneys are responsible for removing excess uric acid from the body by excreting it into the urine. However, if the kidneys aren't functioning optimally, uric acid can accumulate. Uric acid can also accumulate if the cells in the body break down at too fast a rate. The uric acid then forms crystals that lead to health problems.