Can Eating Shrimp Cause Joint Pain?

Shrimp and other shellfish are delicious seafood options that many people love to eat. However, if you suffer from certain types of arthritis like gout, you may wonder if eating shrimp can cause or worsen joint pain.

Shrimp contains moderate amounts of purines, which can increase uric acid levels in the body. For those susceptible to gout, this elevation of uric acid may lead to painful gout attacks. But shrimp’s role in joint pain is complicated, as it provides some beneficial nutrients as well. Let’s take a closer look at how shrimp consumption affects arthritis symptoms.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a common term for various inflammatory conditions that affect the joints. It causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased range of motion in the affected joints. The two most common types of arthritis are:

Osteoarthritis: This is a degenerative type of arthritis caused by wear and tear on the joints over time. It most often affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
Gout: This type of arthritis is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints, leading to sudden and severe attacks of pain and swelling. It most often impacts the big toe, knees, and ankles.

While osteoarthritis develops gradually, gout attacks can come on quickly with intense joint pain. Both types of arthritis can be quite debilitating due to severe joint pain and inflammation.

What Causes Gout?

Gout arises when there is too much uric acid buildup in the body. Purines are compounds found naturally in some foods that break down into uric acid during digestion. The body normally eliminates excess uric acid through urine.

But in people susceptible to gout, excessive purines in the diet can lead to hyperuricemia – high levels of uric acid in the blood. This allows uric acid crystals to accumulate around the joints causing painful inflammation and swelling.

Do Shrimp Contain Purines?

Yes, shrimp does contain a moderate amount of purines. A 3-ounce serving of shrimp provides around 33-50 milligrams of purines.

Other shellfish like lobster crab and scallops also contain purines, though often at lower levels than shrimp. And purines are especially abundant in organ meats and oily fish like salmon and tuna.

So shrimp and shellfish are not the highest sources of dietary purines. However, they provide enough to potentially trigger gout attacks in those prone to the condition.

Can Eating Shrimp Cause a Gout Attack?

For most healthy individuals, eating shrimp in moderation is not a problem. But for those with gout or high baseline uric acid levels, shrimp consumption may provoke painful gout attacks.

Purine-rich foods are commonly identified as instigators of recurrent gout episodes. Studies confirm seafood intake raises the risk of developing gout. And shellfish like shrimp, because of their moderate purine content, are one of the prime culprits.

Consuming shrimp infrequently is unlikely to be an issue. But regularly eating shrimp in larger portions may put you at risk of elevated uric acid levels and sudden painful joint inflammation if you have gout.

Tips to Reduce Gout Risk from Shrimp

If you are susceptible to gout, you don’t necessarily have to avoid shrimp altogether. Here are some tips to enjoy shrimp more safely:

Eat shrimp in moderation as part of a varied diet, rather than frequently in large portions.
Balance shrimp with low-purine foods like dairy, fruits, and vegetables.
Stay well hydrated to help flush uric acid out of the body.
Maintain a healthy body weight to reduce pressure on your joints.
Discuss gout-safe dietary guidelines with your doctor and take prescribed uric acid-lowering medications as directed.

The Benefits of Shrimp

While shrimp’s moderate purine content can potentially trigger gout pain, it does provide some nutritional benefits:

High-quality protein for muscle repair and growth.
Vitamins and minerals like selenium, iodine, and B12.
Anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

The omega-3s in shrimp may actually help reduce inflammation involved in arthritis. The benefits of shrimp can outweigh the risks when consumed in moderation as part of an overall healthy and balanced diet.

Other Foods That Can Worsen Arthritis

Beyond just shrimp and shellfish, many foods may exacerbate joint pain and inflammation if you have certain types of arthritis:

Organ meats like liver are very high in purines.
Fatty red meats contain saturated fats that can promote inflammation.
Refined carbs like white bread lack nutrients and can spur inflammation.
Fried foods are high in inflammatory fats and calories that add excess weight.
Sugary drinks flood the body with blood sugar spikes and inflammation-fueling calories.
Alcohol, especially beer, provides a triple whammy of purines, carbs, and dehydration, which can aggravate gout.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, shrimp contains a moderate level of purines, which may increase the likelihood of painful gout attacks in those prone to the condition. However, enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet, shrimp can be safe for most people with arthritis.

Those with gout or high uric acid levels should be cautious with shrimp intake and follow their doctor’s specific dietary guidelines. But the omega-3s, protein and other nutrients in shrimp can provide some benefits when consumed sensibly.

So be mindful of portion sizes of shrimp and balance with low-purine foods to potentially prevent joint pain flares. Shrimp can be enjoyed safely even with arthritis when eaten carefully as part of a nutritious diet tailored to your specific needs.

Mayo Clinic Minute: Fighting arthritis with food

FAQ

Is shrimp bad for your joints?

Foods high in salt Foods high in salt include shrimp, canned soup, pizza, certain cheeses, processed meats, and numerous other processed items. A 2019 mouse study found that arthritis was more severe in mice that consumed a high salt diet than in those whose diet had less salt.

Is shrimp an inflammatory food?

Shrimp can help the body heal from inflammation. Many anti-inflammatory substances, such as omega-3 fatty acids, astaxanthin, and selenium, are present in it. By lowering bodily inflammation, these substances can lower the chance of developing chronic illnesses including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

What foods trigger the three common joint pains?

With arthritis, the constant pain and stiffness often lead the body to be in a state of stress or “inflammation.” Foods that cause joint pain include heavily processed foods, red meat, foods high in sugar, fried foods, alcohol and foods rich in MSG, refined carbohydrates, gluten and purines.

Can a seafood allergy cause joint pain?

Seafood allergies can cause joint pain due to swelling and inflammation, according to MayoClinic.com. Although most swelling occurs in the skin, sinuses, and lungs, if you have any joint conditions — such as arthritis — you may develop joint pain.

Can food cause joint pain?

Certain foods can contribute to inflammation that might play a role in joint and muscle pain. There’s no hard evidence that any food can cause muscle or joint pain, but there is good evidence that foods can contribute to inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s way of fighting disease and foreign invaders.

What causes joint pain if you eat fish?

Seafood allergies can cause joint pain for people with existing joint conditions, such as arthritis. Although most swelling occurs in the skin, sinuses, and lungs, an exaggerated immune system reaction to proteins found in various types of fish is the cause.

Does consuming fried foods cause arthritis?

Fried foods can contribute to increased inflammation and worsening arthritis symptoms. They are often cooked in oils high in saturated fat and omega-6 fatty acids. Additionally, they often contain breading, salt, and added sugar, which can also lead to inflammation.