Fructose Consumption and Risk for Gout
Consumption of fructose from sugar-sweetened soft drinks and other sources increases risk for gout.
In recent decades, consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks (which contain high-fructose corn syrup) has increased dramatically in the U.S., and, at the same time, the prevalence and incidence of gout also have increased. Since fructose consumption rapidly increases blood uric-acid levels, might fructose consumption contribute to risk for gout?
Investigators prospectively obtained dietary information from 46,393 male health professionals who did not have histories of gout. After 12 years of follow-up, 755 men had developed gout. In analyses adjusted for age, body-mass index, diuretic use, renal insufficiency, consumption of alcohol and meat, and other variables, consumption of one sugar-sweetened soft drink daily significantly increased risk for developing gout compared with consumption of fewer than one soft drink monthly (relative risk, 1.45). Consumption of two or more soft drinks daily increased the relative risk to 1.85. Similarly, a significant dose-response relation was found between total fructose intake (i.e., soft drinks, fruit juices, fruits, and other sources of fructose) and risk for gout. Notably, consumption of diet soft drinks was not associated with gout.
Comment: Consuming sugar-sweetened soft drinks increases risk for obesity (Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine May 23 2007) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (Journal Watch Women’s Health Oct 19 2004). Now, these data indicate that consuming sugar-sweetened soft drinks and other sources of fructose (e.g., fruit juice) also increases risk for gout. A growing body of evidence is adding credence to the adage "Don’t drink your calories."
— Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
Published in Journal Watch General Medicine February 26, 2008
Citation(s):
Choi HK and Curhan G. Soft drinks, fructose consumption, and the risk of gout in men: Prospective cohort study. BMJ 2008 Feb 9; 336:309.