Sweetened Drinks "unlock" Gout

Author: Joe Fowler Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

There is an increase in the incidence of gout, and researchers have linked this phenomenon to increased fructose consumption.

Gout is a disease that is becoming more common, and the culprits for its development are sweetened carbonated beverages , as much as whiskey and wine, scientists say.

The number of those affected has almost doubled since 1970. Painful disease is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis among men. According to a study aimed at establishing the prevalence and causes of gout , one in every 35 men is affected.

Today, people suffering from the disease are more likely to develop it as a result of consuming sugary sodas, fructose and beer, or as a side effect of medications .

Gout is associated with the accumulation of uric acid in the blood - a residual product produced in the body and "excreted" by the kidneys. It is formed when the body breaks down chemicals in cells called purines.

When the body produces too much uric acid or excretes too little, small crystals can form in and around the joints. They are hard and needle-shaped and are the cause of pain and inflammation .

It is not clear why some people develop gout and others do not, although genes play a role to some extent. It is not entirely clear what caused the increase in the number of patients, but in countries such as the United States, China, Britain and Australia, this phenomenon has been observed since the second half of the 20th century.

The incidence of gout is increasing with increasing fructose consumption and obesity , explains the lead author of the study examining the spread of the disease - Dr. Peter Simkin of the University of Washington.

The use of low-dose aspirin and some medications to lower blood pressure is also associated with an increased risk of developing the disease.

Sweetened Drinks "unlock" Gout

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