Purines are naturally occurring substances found in various foods and vegetables such as offal meats, sardines, pilchards, beef, spinach, kale, aubergine and cabbage. Purines are broken down in the body to form uric acid. An excess of purines triggers a gout attack in sensitive individuals, and may form kidney stones. If you suffer from gout — a condition caused by deposits of uric acid in your tissues — avoid purine-rich foods such as cauliflower to avoid aggravating your condition.