Are tomatoes bad for gout?

Tomatoes do not increase the risk of gout and are safe to eat, notes WebMD. This is because they are low in purines, which are broken down into uric acid in the body.

Gout is caused by uric acid crystals that build up around a joint. The risk of developing gout increases when there are high levels of uric acid in the body, due to a diet high in purines. Consuming large amounts of meat, anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel, scallops, gravy and beer increase the risk of developing out. Green vegetables, tomatoes, non-whole-grain cereals, fruits, coffee, tea, nuts, low-fat milk and yogurt are low in purines and are safe to eat, states WebMD.