In May 2019 researchers from Canada published the results of their review of the medical scientific literature to assess the association between important food sources of fructose-containing sugars with gout and hyperuricaemia. It is already known that sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with an increased incidence of hyperuricaemia and gout but whether other food sources of fructose-containing sugars also increase the risk is unclear. A total of three studies were included in the review and involved 154,289 individuals and 1,761 diagnoses of gout. No studies were identified involving hyperuricaemia. The studies included in the review compared the highest with the lowest intake of exposure for sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juices and fruits and the incidence of gout. Results showed that consumption of both fruit juice and sugar-sweetened beverages increased the risk of gout. It was noted that the evidence associating sugar-sweetened beverage to an increased risk of gout was moderate and for fruit juice low. No significant association between whole fruit consumption and gout was noted although the evidence was considered to be low.
Ayoub-Charette S et al. Important food sources of fructose-containing sugars and incident gout: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. BMJ Open. 2019 May 5;9(5):e024171