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Arthritis is a condition in which joints can became inflamed and cause pain. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. According to webmd.com, osteoarthritis affects 21 million adults in the United States. Gout is another type of arthritis and affects mostly men between 40 and 50 years of age. There are over 2 million Americans who suffer from gout.

If you, or someone you know, suffer from either of these, there are some things you should know about how food may affect your condition.

According to articles about osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis on the Mayo Clinic website, there is no proof that "eating any particular food will make your joint pain or inflammation better or worse". Websites like naturalnews.com and 50plushealth.co.uk have articles that say otherwise.

Ben Kage from naturalnews.com references professor of horticulture and arthritis sufferer Norman Childers who says that people with arthritis should avoid nightshade vegetables. Childers's conclusion was based on his own observations of how those vegetables affected his own arthritis. Childers claims that his arthritis symptoms improved when he stopped eating nightshade vegetables. These vegetables include potatoes, eggplants, peppers and tomatoes. Since different foods are known to affect people differently you may want to try Childers's experiment as well but make sure you talk to your doctor first.

According to 50plushealth.co.uk, arthritis sufferers should be careful with rhubarb because it contains oxalic acid. Rhubarb apparently aggravates arthritis and can even cause an pain attack if you overindulge. According to this website, oxalic acid inhibits the body's ability to absorb calcium and iron and can even cause kidney stones.

Fruits like oranges, grapefruits, cranberries and plums are also accused of aggravating arthritis symptoms so you may want to avoid them as well.

Gout is a type of arthritis that tends to affect the big toe. Gout is usually caused by abnormal deposits of uric acid crystals in the joint cartilage. Uric acid is a waste product formed when purines break down. Purine is a substance produced by your body as well as some foods. When your body accumulates too much uric acid, crystals form in your joints and cause pain and inflammation.

According to webmd.com and the Mayo Clinic website, certain dietary adjustments could help you cope with a gout flare up. The Mayo Clinic website recommends that you reduce the amount of animal protein you eat, avoid alcohol and drink plenty of liquids. Webmd.com says that limiting certain foods, as well as alcohol, is "often helpful".

Dee Jones, in an associatedcontent.com article, says that foods high in purine can lead to a build up of uric acid in your system. If you suffer from gout you should avoid foods like whole grain breads and cereals as well as pork roast and roast beef. Jones also says that alcohol should be avoided and goes on to elaborate that alcohol has purine with beer containing more purine than other alcoholic drinks.

All three websites say that gout sufferers should avoid certain meats and seafood like liver, kidney and anchovies. Jones also says that you should avoid mackerel, herring, sardines and mussels.

For more information visit webmd.com, mayoclinic.com, or any of the other sites mentioned. Most importantly always check with your doctor before trying any new treatment or diet program.

Learn more about this author, Veronica Beaudry.
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