Gout is a painful form of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid that can result in uric acid crystals accumulating in joints, often in the big toe. Researchers have studied various risk factors that may increase the incidence of gout development. The majority of this research has concluded that foods high in purines are most strongly linked to the development of gout. Purine-rich foods and beverages include meats, fish, dried beans and peas, and alcohol, among others. Additionally, it is well established that excess body weight and dietary alcohol intake significantly increased risk whereas diets high in fiber can reduce risk. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and gout development has been well studied and researchers have been unable to establish a definitive link between fructose, the main sweetener of SSB, and gout incidence.
Research Study Summaries
Dietary Fructose and the Metabolic Syndrome
Taskinen MR, Packard CJ, Boren J, et al. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1987; doi:10.3390/nu11091987 Download PDF Objective To review recent evidence linking excessive fructose consumption to health risk markers and development of components of the Metabolic Syndrome. Background Consumption of fructose, the sweetest of all naturally occurring carbohydrates, has increased dramatically in the last 40 years […]
Fructose tolerance test in obese people with and without type 2 diabetes
Al-Ozairi E, Rivard CJ, Sanchez Gonzalez LG, et al. J Diabetes. 2019; 1– 8. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-0407.12984 Download PDF Objective To examine the acute effects of an oral fructose tolerance test (OFTT) on serum uric acid concentrations in people with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The effects of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on serum […]
Important food sources of fructose-containing sugars and incident gout: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
BMJ Open 2019; 9:e024171. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024171 Ayoub-Charette S, Liu Q, Tauseef AK, et al. Download Research Study PDF Objective To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to assess the relation of important food sources of fructose-containing sugars with incident gout and hyperuricaemia. Background Foods that increase net adenosine triphosphate (ATP) degradation including […]
Glycaemic, uricaemic and blood pressure response to beverages with partial fructose replacement of sucrose
Eur J Clin Nutr (2018) 72:1717-1723; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0134-x — Rodrigues N, Peng M, Oey I, and Venn BJ. — Download PDF — Objective To assess the effects of partial replacement of sucrose with fructose on serum glucose, uric acid and blood pressure. Background Fructose has been shown to adversely affect plasma lipids and may predispose excessive […]
Fructose Intake, Serum Uric Acid, and Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Critical Review
On April 18, Caliceti et al. published a review entitled “Fructose Intake, Serum Uric Acid, and Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Critical Review” in Nutrients. The review focuses on the role of uric acid (UA) in cardio metabolic disorders and the relationship between fructose consumption, blood UA, and health outcomes. The authors first review purine metabolism including […]
Study Linking Fructose Intake to Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
A study entitled “Serum uric acid concentrations and fructose consumption are independently associated with NASH in children and adolescents,” was recently published in the Journal of Hepatology. The purpose of the study was to identify the factors associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in children and adolescents with confirmed cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). More […]
Uric Acid and Transforming Growth Factor in Fructose-induced Production of ROS in Skeletal Muscle
An article was recently published in Nutrition Reviews which aimed to summarize the current literature on the effects of fructose on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial dysfunction in various tissues, particularly skeletal muscle, and identify research gaps for which future endeavors should address. First, reviewers provided an overview of the metabolic effects of […]
Fructose Intake and Risk of Gout and Hyperuricemia
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis from The BMJ attempts to define a relationship between fructose intake and the development of gout and hyperuricemia. Researchers were only able to identify two prospective cohort studies which met their selection criteria; both of which pertained to fructose intake and gout but did not address incidence of hyperuricemia. […]
Fructose Intake and Risk of Gout and Hyperuricemia, Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis from The BMJ attempts to define a relationship between fructose intake and the development of gout and hyperuricemia. Researchers were only able to identify two prospective cohort studies which met their selection criteria; both of which pertained to fructose intake and gout but did not address incidence of hyperuricemia. […]
Research Shows No Harm at Typical Intake Levels
Fructose does not increase body weight, blood pressure, uric acid or insulin levels, and may improve glycemic control at normal consumption levels, according to research.
Calorie Control Council Response to Choi et al
Fructose-rich beverages and risk of gout in women
Sugar-sweetened beverages, serum uric acid, and blood pressure in adolescents
The conclusion by Nguyen et al that higher sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (as proxy for dietary fructose) may affect cardiovascular risk factors like serum uric acid and blood pressure lacks significance for three reasons.
Lack of association between dietary fructose and hyperuricemia risk in adults
High serum uric acid concentration (hyperuricemia) has been studied for its relationship with multiple adverse health outcomes, such as metabolic syndrome. Intervention studies have produced inconsistent outcomes for the relationship between fructose intake and serum uric acid concentration.
Calorie Control Council Response to Choi & Curhan
Soft drinks, fructose consumption, and the risk of gout in men: prospective cohort study