High-Fructose Drinks Increase Gout In Women

Researchers from Boston University published in the current Journal of the American Medical Association the results of a study linking increased risk of gout (Definition
Gout is a kind of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in the joints.

Acute gout is a painful condition that typically affects one joint.
Chronic gout is repeated episodes of pain and inflammation, which may involve more than one joint.
Alternative Names
Gouty arthritis - acute; Gout - acute; Hyperuricemia; Tophaceous gout; Tophi; Podagra; Gout - chronic; Chronic gout; Acute gout; Acute gouty arthritis

Causes, Incidence, And Risk Factors
Gout is caused by having higher-than-normal levels of uric acid in your body. Your body may make too much uric acid, or have a hard time getting rid of uric acid. If too much uric acid builds up in the fluid around the joints (synovial fluid), uric acid crystals form. These crystals cause the joint to swell up and become inflamed)
in women with drinks containing high amounts of fructose. The study authors found that women who regularly consumed drinks with high fructose content have a 74% higher risk of developing gout, compared to women who consume such drinks once per month or less. The authors noted that fructose-rich foods, such as sweetened beverages, can increase blood uric acid levels and thus precipitate gout. They also stated, “Our data provide prospective evidence that fructose poses an increased risk of gout among women, thus supporting the importance of reducing fructose intake.” However, the association was not limited to sugar-sweetened beverages. Women who said they drank orange juice once a day had a 41% increased risk of gout, even more with twice-daily consumption. Other fruit juices did not demonstrate an association. [via Medical News Today]