Sugary soft drinks linked to gout in men

Consumption of sugar sweetened soft drinks and fructose is strongly associated with an increased risk of gout in men. Gout is a joint disease which causes extreme pain and swelling. It is most common in men aged 40 and older. It is caused by excess uric acid in the blood (hyperuricaemia) which leads to uric acid crystals collecting around the joints.

In the United States, levels of gout have doubled over the last few decades, which coincided with a substantial increase in the consumption of soft drinks and fructose (a simple sugar and the only carbohydrate known to increase uric acid levels).

Conventional dietary recommendations for gout have focused on the restriction of purines (found in high levels in meat and meat products, especially liver and kidney) and alcohol but with no restriction of sugar sweetened soft drinks.

So researchers in the US and Canada examined the relation between intake of sugar sweetened soft drinks and fructose and the risk of gout.

They followed over 46,000 men aged 40 years and over with no history of gout. The men completed regular questionnaires on their intake of more than 130 foods and beverages, including sugar sweetened soft drinks and diet soft drinks, over a period of 12 years. Different types of fruits and fruit juices (high in natural fructose) were also assessed.

At the start of the study, and every two years thereafter, information on weight, regular use of medications and medical conditions were also recorded. Gout was diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology criteria.

During 12 years of follow-up, the researchers documented 755 newly diagnosed cases of gout.

The risk of gout increased with increasing intake of sugar sweetened soft drinks. The risk was significantly increased with an intake level of 5-6 servings per week and the risk was 85% higher among men who consumed two or more servings of sugar-sweetened soft drinks per day compared to those who consumed less than one serving per month.

These associations were independent of other risk factors for gout such as body mass index, age, diuretic use, high blood pressure, alcohol intake, and dietary factors.

Diet soft drinks were not associated with the risk of gout.

Fruit juice and fructose rich fruits (apples and oranges) were associated with a higher risk of gout. However, the authors stress that this finding needs to be balanced against the benefit of fruit and vegetable intake to prevent other chronic disorders like high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer.

In conclusion, our findings provide prospective evidence that consumption of sugar sweetened soft drinks and fructose is strongly associated with an increased risk of gout, say the authors. Furthermore, fructose rich fruits and fruit juices may also increase the risk. In contrast, diet soft drinks were not associated with the risk of gout.


(Editor compiled and published Sugary soft drinks linked to gout in men at HealthNewsTrack on January 31, 2008 sourced from British Medical Journal - http://www.bmj.com/)

Gout - recent articles and current news stories:

- Women with gout at greater risk of heart attack
- ABCG2 gene mutation causes gout
- Vitamin C lowers gout risk in men
- Takeda's Uloric febuxostat approved for hyperuricemia in gout
- New genes linked to gout

Most related articles:

- Sugary soft drinks linked to gout in men
- Energy drinks activate brain to enhance exercise performance - 8.2
- Women with gout at greater risk of heart attack - 7.2
- Sugary cola drinks increase gestational diabetes risk - 6.9
- Drinking less soda beverage may lower high blood pressure - 6.8

More related articles:

- Soft drink, Gout, Fructose, Uric acid, Dietary, Rheumatology, High blood pressure, Alcohol, Fruit juice, Heart disease, Stroke
- Women with gout at greater risk of heart attack - 18.7
- New genes linked to gout - 13.5
- Vitamin C lowers gout risk in men - 13.3
- Vegetable proteins lower blood pressure - 12.4

Gout related articles:

- Vitamin C lowers gout risk in men - 6.8
- ABCG2 gene mutation causes gout - 6.6
- Women with gout at greater risk of heart attack - 6.5
- New genes linked to gout - 5.7

Gout article/news source:

Read more health articles from British Medical Journal and health articles from UK.

Gout - search related terms:

Alcohol, Dietary, Fructose, Fruit juice, Gout, Heart disease, High blood pressure, Rheumatology, Soft drink, Stroke, Uric acid,
Gout books,

Searched keywords: gout (9), soft drinks (5),

List health news, Health organizations, Health news world, Glossary, Best health articles, Featured     Go to top

The information provided on Health Newstrack is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. We comply with the HONcode principles for trustworthy health information, and Health News Track is hon code accredited, verify here.
About us, Site map Privacy policy, Disclaimer
© 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 HealthNewsTrack.com
4.57