BSR statement on Gout

February 2008

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) published a report today linking the intake of sugar sweetened soft drinks and fructose with an increased risk of gout in men.

Gout is caused by a build up of uric acid (urate) in your blood. The urate can accumulate in crystals in a joint, or in the surrounding tissue. These crystals can cause severe pain, swelling and inflammation in the joints.

Dr Andrew Bamji, President of the British Society for Rheumatology said; “Anecdotally cases of gout appeared to be rising. When you think about it, the finding that soft drinks consumption may be a cause makes a lot of sense in that fructose raises the level of uric acid in the blood”.

He added; “I always tell people to avoid yeast- containing foods – beer and Marmite are two such. However I will certainly adapt my advice to patients as I suspect the number drinking fructose-containing drinks is quite large”.