Gout risk increases from drinking regular sodas

by Brian White (Subscribe to Brian White's posts)
Jan 4th 2008 9:03AM

As if there weren't enough reasons to stay away from soft drinks, here's another one. Researchers recently said that normal soft drinks containing too much sugar can end up increasing serum uric acid levels. What does that lead to? An increase in the risk of developing gout, that's what. Gout is not only dangerous, but extremely painful.

Although the chemicals and artificial sweeteners in diet soft drinks are no better than the refined sugars in normal soft drinks, in this case diet drinks win. Since sugar is not present in most diet soft drinks, gout of not a concern.

When gout happens, too much uric acid (caused by the breakdown of sugars from soft drinks) causes painful crystals to develop in the joints. Underexcretion (not peeing enough) also contributes to the condition.

Want a great New Year's resolution? Start dropping soft drinks from your daily regimen starting now.

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Comments (33)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Beverly 1-07-2008 @ 5:36PM

What is the matter with your head? Have you researched what Aspertame does to people? Please stop encouraging people to drink diet sodas! If people really wanted to be healthy they would not drink any of it!!!!

Ronnie 1-07-2008 @ 3:02PM

Stopped drinking Soda's in 2005 and losed 35 pounds and started feeling better, no more headaches, not feeling blab all the time

Diana 1-07-2008 @ 3:07PM

I used to drink a lot of soda when I was younger and now that I nixed it from my diet I do not miss it at all. Who needs those empty cals from regular soda and artificial sweeteners and chemicals from diet soda anyways?! I stick to water w/lemon or seltzer.

Anna 1-07-2008 @ 5:17PM

I had a tumor taken out of me when I was 16. The doctors said it was from caffine. So I stay away from it. 15 years later and I have never had an more problems.

Abby 1-07-2008 @ 3:39PM

I'm lucky, I don't even like soda. The bubbles burn my mouth.

penns 1-15-2008 @ 3:34AM

uric acid contains nitrogen;sugars do not.this concern doesn't sound right.gout patients should watch their protein consumption as that breakdown can increase uric acid in blood.

Vivi 1-07-2008 @ 4:12PM

I never drink sodas made with sugars or the diet kind. I have always made it a practice to drink fruit juices or just plain water.

Diana 1-07-2008 @ 4:45PM

just be careful with fruit juice. Most are loaded with just as much, or more sugar than soda. I like to put a splash of pomegranate juice in water

bill 1-07-2008 @ 7:05PM

As far as the juice goes...yes, be careful about the sugar content. I avoid the ones that have High Fructose Corn Syrup in them. Otherwise the sugar is at least natural. HFCS is not good!

Mrs. Mac 1-07-2008 @ 4:26PM

I also gave up drinking sodas, and now stick to water or plain tea. Lost ten pounds just from that, and feel better too.

kate 1-07-2008 @ 5:10PM

I don't drink soda at all! I made it a rule that no soda in the house at all for me and my kids! Water is what we drink besides an occasion glass of milk!

Blathanna 1-07-2008 @ 5:12PM

I stopped drinking soda last April and have lost 26 lbs in 9 months without changing anything else!!!!!
Best Diet plan ever!!!!

John F.C. Taylor 1-07-2008 @ 5:12PM

Changed my diet and lost 8" off my waist. Large part was due to quitting soda. Now that I've lost the weight, I find I can drink regular soda again and still keep the weight off. Still, I could go back to my diet mix of juice and seltzer with little or no problem. If only Dr. Pepper were made in a diet/caffeine free version.

Victoria 1-07-2008 @ 6:26PM

I just checked the Dr. Pepper website and it does come in both diet and caffeine free versions. It even comes in a diet caffeine free version. For more info go to www.drpepper.com.

BornChristmasEve 1-07-2008 @ 7:32PM

There is s caffeine free diet Dr Pepper. It has a bit of gold on the case, barely noticeable from the diet Dr Pepper. Keep a sharp eye, not all store carry it.

Beverly 1-07-2008 @ 5:16PM

Women in my family suffer from osteoporosis, and my doctor advised me to limit sodas to no more than two per month. The phosphates in soda reduce bone mass. (Meat also reduces bone mass because the body robs calcium from bones to neutralize acids from meat.) I'm a vegetarian and avoid sodas, and so far, I'm the only woman in my family without osteoporosis. I love green tea, black tea, and water.

stew 1-07-2008 @ 5:33PM

what about all the sodas made with high fructose corn syrup? is that any different?

cspot 1-07-2008 @ 5:41PM

Pop is yummy. once it hits the lips its soooo goood!

JP 1-07-2008 @ 5:41PM

I will never stop drinking soda. Why do some of you put such strict rules on your children? My kids can do whatever they want, but as soon as they slip up on something major, they know that they will never get any privileges again.

sara 1-07-2008 @ 5:45PM

Not only is soda BAD for you BUT think of what it does to your teeth. I had so many costly dental problems and it was ALL from drinking to much soda. After all the pain and money I went through I stay FAR away from any of it. Your best safe bet is to just drink water!!!

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