“Our results provide valuable information to help individuals reduce their risk of gout,” the researchers said.
The incidence of gout is increasing worldwide, including in European countries such as France. It is caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood and results in the formation of crystals in and around the joints, leading to very painful attacks. “Diet plays an important role in the pathogenesis of gout” recall the researchers of a Chinese study. They looked specifically at the relationship between carbohydrate intake and the risk of gout.
The scientists studied data from more than 187,000 people aged 40 to 69 who did not have gout at baseline. Questionnaires were used to learn more about their lifestyle habits by assessing their consumption of 206 types of foods and 32 types of beverages. Carbohydrates were classified into several categories:
- total carbohydrates (simple sugars (fructose, glucose, galactose, table sugar, lactose), complex sugars (starch) and polyols (xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, etc.))
- total sugars (added sugars + natural sugars)
- free sugars (added sugars)
- non-free sugars (naturally present in foods)
- starch (in potatoes, rice, bread, pasta)
- fibers
Participants were classified according to their genetic risk of gout and several factors were taken into account such as age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), tobacco and alcohol consumption and physical activity.
According to the results published in the journal “Nutrients”during the 12 years that the experiment lasted, “2,548 cases of gout were recorded”The researchers found that consumption of total carbohydrates, total sugars, non-free sugars, starch and fiber was associated with a reduced risk of gout, while consumption of free sugars was linked to an increased risk of gout (+15%). This risk was even higher in participants who also had a high genetic risk. “Our findings provide valuable information to help individuals reduce their risk of gout through adjustments to dietary carbohydrate intake.” commented the authors.
Concretely, it is added sugar that must be reduced or even banned from one’s diet. It is found, for example, in jam, cakes, pastries, breakfast cereals, ready meals, sodas, fruit juices, lemonades, syrups, sauces, etc. A tablespoon of ketchup contains about a teaspoon of added sugars and a can of soda contains up to 10. In patients suffering from gout attacks, it is also recommended to have a diet low in meat and fish and to avoid alcoholic beverages.