Purines, found in plants and animals, are essential for DNA and RNA formation. Excessive uric acid levels can cause gout attacks, so regulating purine consumption is crucial for those with gout or hyperuricemia.
Squid has moderate amounts of purines, it has many nutritional benefits that could be of great help in a balanced diet.
Squid is also very rich in lean protein, which plays an important role in muscles’ repairing and building as well as a body’s general functioning. Squid is highly recommended for persons who want to increase their intake of high-quality protein since this nutrient is very vital when it comes to tissue formation as well as the maintenance of our tissues.
Squid is also a house of B vitamins especially, vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is concerned with the well-being of nerves and the formation of blood and also helps in brain function. Deficiency of B12 causes fatigue, nerve disorder as well as anemia and therefore should form part of your diet.
Squid is rich in minerals like selenium, phosphorus, and zinc, which protect cells, and aid in bone formation, energy provision, immune response, wound healing, and DNA formation.
For those targeting a low-purine diet for reasons such as gout, then good news, squid should be taken sparingly but is still okay. Eating squid in moderation and at the same time ensuring that you take other foods low in purines will ensure that you get the nutrients that come with squids without having to worry about the level of uric acid that it has in your body.
Now let’s take a brief look at how much purines are present in squid concerning other types of seafood. In gout diets, some seafood is richer in purines than others and therefore safer for people with gout.
A small oily fish that contains very high amounts of purines includes anchovies. Anchovies have a purine content of about 410 mg per 100 gm.
Shrimp is another dietary product of the sea that is popular among people all over the world. The purine content of shrimp is moderately high, according to the purine chart, similar to squid, it contains about 140mg of purine per 100 grams. Despite being very rich in nutrients, shrimp should not be taken too often, especially for those with gout problems.
Fish is another category of meats that also has a moderate content of purines; lobster, for instance, is considered to be an exotic product that is associated with luxury, although the content of purine bases in it is more than in the previously mentioned types of fish.
Seafood is known to be low in purine content and out of all the seafood, crab has about 85mg of purine per 100g. This makes crab better than other seafood for people who wish to continue consuming proteins without affecting their uric acid levels. Crad although not as low as some fish varieties, crab, can be reincorporated into the diet more freely in gout.
Despite its higher purine content than salmon or crab, squid can be beneficial for people with gout or hyperuricemia when consumed in moderation. Its nutritional benefits are significant, but it should be considered alongside other seafood options. Squid can be a part of a low-purine meal plan or overall diet plan for those with gout.
