Why are sugary fruit juices more dangerous than meat for the development of gout?

Sugary fruit juices and other sweeteners have made it onto the list of major risk factors for developing gout, alongside traditionally dangerous red meat and alcohol, claims Nuria Dianova, a first-category dietitian and gastroenterologist, and executive director of the Research Center for Healthy Nutrition[1][2][7].

According to the specialist, today gout is no longer just the "disease of kings," previously associated with an excess of meat dishes and alcohol. Modern eating habits, especially the abuse of refined products and sweet drinks, including sweetened fruit juices, contribute to the rise in morbidity[1][2][3].

What is the connection between diet and gout?

Gout is more common among those who adhere to an unhealthy plant-based diet: low in whole grains and high in refined cereals and sweet drinks[1][2]. Even if a person does not eat meat but drinks a lot of sugary juices, the risk of the disease remains high[4].

How much sugar is too much?

Research shows that every increase in fructose consumption by 10 grams per day raises the risk of gout by 13%[4]. Fructose, the main sweetener in industrial juices and soft drinks, is one of the main provocateurs of the disease[6].

How to reduce risks?

To prevent gout, doctors recommend:

• Include whole grains, fiber, vegetables, and greens in your diet.
• Consume low-fat dairy products.
• Add a moderate amount of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids to reduce chronic inflammation[1][2].
• Limit red meat, alcohol, and foods rich in purines[6].
• Be cautious with sweet drinks, including sugary fruit juices[1][2][3].

What else is important to know?

Moderate consumption of coffee and green tea, contrary to common myths, can lower uric acid levels and the risk of gout[4]. However, excessive indulgence in sweetened drinks and refined products is, on the contrary, dangerous for joint health[1][2].

Doctors remind us that a balanced diet is a key element in the prevention of gout, but it should complement, not replace, treatment if the disease has already been diagnosed[1].

If you cannot give up fruit juices, prefer freshly squeezed ones without added sugar, or better yet, eat whole fruits to obtain fiber and beneficial nutrients.