Fructose and Gout?
Sugary soft drinks and fructose, but not diet pop, associated with risks of gout in a cohort study
According to a study released January 31, 2008, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ),
consumption of pops and sodas containing sugar and/or fructose increased the risk for gout in men with no previous history of gout. Not only that, but the overconsumption of fruit juices and fructose-rich fruits might further increase the risk for gout. Diet sodas did not show the same association.
Participants in the study contained 46,393 men with no history of gout. Follow-up was for twelve years. There were 755 confirmed cases of gout. Increasing intake of sugar containing beverages was associated with an increased risk of gout. Other sources of fructose were also associated with an increase in this condition.
A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to determine the intake of sugary beverages and fructose containing foods and drinks. The incidence of gout was 85% higher in men who consumed two or more servings of sugary beverages compared to those who consumed less than one serving monthly.
Public Health Pearl: The conventional use of the low purine diet approach for gout management should be re-visited. According to the research, fructose is a large component of many foods encouraged on the low purine diet. Furthermore,since the Dietary guidelines recommend up to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day depending on caloric needs, the risks and benefits should be considered when encouraging foods in that group with high fructose levels (most notably, fruit). These results are difficult to extrapolate without further studies. As of right now, the study results pertain only to men with no previous diagnosis of gout. Further evidence-based studies are needed on the dietary management of this illness.
The entire study may be read at:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.39449.819271.BEv1?q=rss_home
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
More Bad News About Fructose - RedScrubs responds:
Posted: April 30th, 2008 at 1:29 pm →
[…] Recently I published a news article about the relationship between fructose and the development of gout. Well, now there is more bad press about fructose, the sugary substance commonly found in soft drinks, baked goods and other foods. A recent study in the March 10 issue of the Journal of Hepatology (2008) has shown that fructose consumption parallels the growth in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The consumption of fructose is further linked to insulin resistance. […]