For individuals living with gout, it can often be difficult to know exactly what can cause a flare-up. After all, the causes of gout can be linked to a wide range of factors and, to make matters worse, there is no known cure for the condition.
But the good news is that almost all cases of gout are treatable with the help of dietary changes, exercises, and supplements. In this article, we’re exploring yet another common dietary habit and how it can affect gout.
Everyone loves a refreshing fizzy drink now and then. Whether it’s an ice-cold lemonade on a hot day or a can of cola to complete a lunchtime meal deal. However, most of us have become increasingly aware of the potential negative dietary implications of many fizzy drink options on the market. Our dentists and doctors have been telling us about the teeth-rotting and obesity-inducing effects of sugary drinks for years, but are fizzy drinks bad for gout, too?
Gout and Your Diet
It’s no secret that our diet plays a huge role in our overall health. But when it comes to gout, some people may be more vulnerable to the effects of a poor diet than others.
Gout is caused by heightened levels of uric acid in the blood. Over time, this can lead to the formation of sharp crystals in the joints - particularly in the feet and toes. While the exact cause of this can vary, from genetics to kidney disease, the effects can often be exacerbated by what we eat.
That’s because almost every living thing on the planet, including plants, animals, and fungi, contains a compound called purines.
When our bodies break down purines from our diet, the by-product is uric acid. Under normal circumstances, this is nothing to worry about as our bodies can filter out excess uric acid as a waste product. In some circumstances, however, this isn’t achieved effectively, potentially resulting in gout flare-ups. But purines aren’t the only ingredient that could affect gout.
Gout and Fizzy Drinks
Several studies have aimed to understand the risks associated with the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks, including sodas, for individuals with gout. In 2008, researchers from Harvard and the University of Vancouver published their findings that drinking five or six sweet beverages a week resulted in nearly a 30% higher chance of suffering from gout compared with individuals who drank less than one serving monthly.
Moreover, the risk of gout was about twice as high among men with the highest rates of fructose consumption than men with the lowest rates of consumption. Fructose is a common ingredient in fizzy drinks as it is often used as a cheaper alternative to sugar. The natural sugars and fructose found in fruit juices can also pose a heightened risk of gout.
The good news is that diet fizzy drinks, which are often made using sweeteners rather than fructose, were not linked to a heightened risk of gout. So, if you’re in the habit of cracking open a refreshing fizzy drink with your lunch or to unwind after a long day, you’re probably better off switching to the diet option!
Conclusion
Many things can impact a person’s risk of gout, or even trigger a flare-up of the painful condition. Thankfully, there are some things we can do to help limit this risk. Switching to a low-purine (and low sugar and fructose!) diet can help prevent gout attacks and improve your overall health and well-being. Ensuring you are drinking plenty of water and taking regular supplements can also help to flush uric acid out of the body.
