Another Reason to Ditch the Sodas: Gout
As if their effects on your waistline and health aren’t enough reason, there’s now data showing that sugary soft drinks increase the risk of gout in men.
First, a description of gout:
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.
And:
Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in men. … The doubling of the prevalence and incidence of gout over the past few decades in the United States coincided with a substantial increase in the consumption of soft drinks and fructose.
And the results of the study:
Men who had more than one fizzy drink a day increased their risk by 45%; two or more drinks a day increased the risk by 85%, compared with men who drank less than one fizzy drink a month. Diet fizzy drinks did not increase the risk of gout. People with the highest intake of fructose doubled their risk of gout compared with those with the lowest intake.
Fruit juice and high fructose fruits, like apples and oranges, were also associated with a higher risk of gout. It sounds like the huge influx of fructose into our food supply is doing way more harm than good, though I’m confident that there’s no reason to ditch fruit. Ditching the soft drinks and fruit juices and other sources of concentrated fructose (high fructose corn syrup, agave nectar, and sucrose) is a much more beneficial route.
Of course, the beverage association is calling bullocks, but the NHS has determined that this was a well-run study.
About Scott
Scott Kustes loves to cook and loves to eat. He started Real Food University to help you get maximum enjoyment out of the meals that you eat. To find out more about how he has rebelled against the fast food culture and counting calories or carbs, join the Real Food Revolution.
8 Reader Comments
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There is another factor involved I believe…..alcohol. (no study to quote, just my own ideas)
Many suffer from gout due to drinking just too much.
It’s to much sugar for the body to handle.
Marc
Yet the common advice for gout is to restrict red meat to avoid purine; fructose is rarely mentioned. Go figure!
Marc had to go and ruin it for me. First I used to drink regular soda like a fiend when I was in high school and younger. Quit drinking that. Started drinking diet. I have cut back the diet (by itself) to rare occasions, like after a weekend hiking in the mountains or with the very rare fast food eating. I do drink maybe one can a night with Jack Daniels. I think it cause me to drink less whiskey. Then I read the gout article and am thinking “Crap. Screwed again.” Luckily the line about diet soda’s not having the same effect and rejoicing. Then Marc goes and ruins it with his alcohol comment
Anybody seen proof of that one? I used to drink a ton but have cut back a lot. I know both that and the diet soda are probably not good for me, but not sure I’m ready to give up my last vice.
Sorry Joe
Stick to red wine. But one drink a night of the harder stuff shouldn’t be too bad. I happen to like rum, but try and restrict it to a Saturday night.
Gotta live a little to right??
Marc
Joe, As Marc said, you certainly do have to live a little. I don’t think a beer or wine or a hit of the hard stuff now and again, even once a night, is going to cause too many problems, especially if the rest of the diet is clean. It’s really only when you overwhelm the body with things that it can’t cope. So the people drinking like fish and having 6 soft drinks a day are in more danger than the guy eating a clean diet and enjoying some Jack (my employer thanks you by the way) and Diet.
Cheers
Scott
I’m not a big wine drinker. The rest of my diet is pretty spot on. Just maybe not the calories. Not sure about that one yet, might eat too many. Just trying to make sure I get enough protein. Probably do to much cardio too, but that’s the problem when you enjoy riding outdoors in sunny Florida. Have cut frequency in half and replaced it with weight lifting.
Scott, you work for JD? I’ve lived off that stuff since high school. Man, I put a lot of money into them. Used to be a couple handles a week. Then somehow turned into a health nut and got engaged and now not so much. Hope it doesn’t affect their bottom line
Diet ginger ale and JD or straight sippin’, now I’m hating work even more.
Joe,
I just started a new job working for the company that owns JD, along with lots of other brands. It sounds like you’re probably doing just fine with keeping gout away if a nightly sip of JD is the worst thing you do.
Cheers
Scott
I wasn’t really worried but thanks anyway.
Keep up the great blog.
Don’t worry my friends and I will drink a bunch of JD and probably other brands your company owns while backpacking 3 days this weekend in Tennessee.
Joe