According to the Dial-A-Dietitian Nutrition Information Society of British Columbia, peanuts and peanut butter eaten regularly in small amounts are a good source of protein for people with gout since they contain low-to-moderate amounts of purines. Purines are nucleotide- base compounds like guanine, adenine and xanthine that are basic components of the DNA, RNA and ATP in both plants and animals.
In the body, purines are broken down to yield the uric acid that contributes to the excess uric acid crystal formation responsible for gout symptoms. Peanuts contain enough purines to equal 79 mg of uric acid per every 100 grams, an amount that is considered a low-to-moderate purine concentration. Nuts like peanuts may also benefit gout sufferers since they contain fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties