Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in men. A new study published today from researchers at the University of British Columbia reveals men who drink too many sugary drinks increase their risk of developing gout.
Gout results from too much uric acid in the blood, and this can cause inflammation, swelling, and pain in the joints. Researchers followed over 46,000 middle aged men for 12 years and documented their food and beverage intake. None had a history of gout at the start of the study. They found those who drank two or more servings of sugar sweetened soft drinks a day had an 85 percent increased risk of developing gout compared to men who had less than one serving a month. Also men who consumed five to six servings a week of fructose rich fruits, like apples and oranges and other fruit juices were also at increased risk.
This link persisted even after the researchers accounted for other risk factors for gout. Fructose is a simple sugar and the only carbohydrate known to increase uric acid levels.
Dr. Rhonda Low's Additional Comments
There's no need to avoid some of the foods rich fructose, like apples, pears, peaches, and grapes. Just eat these foods in limited quantities if you're at risk for gout, because we need to remember that a diet rich in fruits and vegetable is important for good health and lowers the risk for cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
In this study, diet soft drinks were not associated with the risk for gout.
If you already have gout traditionally its recommended that you:
- Limit foods high in purines, e.g. meat, certain seafood, and alcohol.
- Eat a healthy diet for weight control, and if you lose weight beware you could flare your gout
- Drink plenty of water to help your body get rid of uric acid.
As for this new information on fruit juice and fructose, for men who already have gout, limiting these foods is key because the researchers say they have just as great an effect as alcohol and the purine rich foods.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Dr. Rhonda Low
