Soft Drinks Are More Harmful Than Alcoholic Beverages
Gout, also known as "hyperuricemia," is medically confirmed to be caused by a disorder in the metabolism of purines in the body. Its oxidative metabolite, uric acid, deposits in joints, soft tissues, cartilage, and kidneys in the form of sodium salt, causing an inflammatory foreign body reaction in the tissues. What causes gout? Experts told the author that purines are the source of uric acid production. Consuming foods high in purines, such as seafood, can lead to gout. Relevant data shows that the excessive fructose in soft drinks can also trigger gout attacks. While it is widely known that seafood and beer can cause gout, few people pay attention to the fact that excessive fructose can also trigger attacks.
For gout patients, soft drinks are more harmful than alcoholic beverages, almost as dangerous as beer. Some Canadian rheumatology experts conducted a 12-year study involving 46,393 men and concluded that men who drank the most soft drinks had twice the risk of gout compared to those who drank the least; drinking one serving of soft drink per day increased the risk by 35%. This is precisely because soft drinks contain a large amount of fructose. We usually believe that foods high in purines increase the risk of gout, but we do not understand that the liver's metabolism of fructose affects purine metabolism, which in turn triggers gout.
It is reported that a gout attack is extremely painful for the patient and is one of the most severe forms of arthritis. Sometimes it can even be difficult to walk. However, in the early stages of the disease, it will heal naturally within a few days even without treatment. If not effectively controlled, it can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and other conditions. In severe cases, it can lead to renal insufficiency or even death. Therefore, gout must be diagnosed and treated early. Do not let gout become a killer of your own health.