Water Chestnut and Job's Tears Congee

Why people make this congee

Gout is one of those conditions that runs in families — if a parent or grandparent had it, the risk increases. It is also strongly influenced by diet: foods rich in purines (organ meats, shellfish, certain mushrooms, legumes, and alcohol) can elevate uric acid levels and trigger attacks. For people managing gout — or trying to prevent a first episode — food choices matter day to day.

Water chestnuts and Job’s tears are both low-purine foods, and both play important roles in traditional Chinese food therapy for conditions characterised by dampness and heat in the joints. This simple congee is something Nourilo recommends for regular consumption rather than a one-time remedy — the idea is to build a habit of low-purine, dampness-clearing eating. Taken morning and evening as part of a balanced diet, it can form a useful part of a gout-management routine.

Drink plenty of water every day alongside this congee — adequate hydration is one of the most well-supported strategies for promoting uric acid excretion.