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Red meat and sweet soft drinks increase the risk of gout
Gout can lead to severe pain in the joints and ultimately cause kidney failure. Researchers have now found that a so-called western diet can increase the risk of developing gout. People are more likely to suffer from the painful condition if they regularly consume red and processed meat, French fries, sugar, sweets or desserts.
Researchers at the internationally recognized Harvard Medical School found in their study that eating certain foods leads to increased likelihood of gout. The experts published the results of their study in the journal "British Medical Journal".
Gout can cause irreversible damage to the joints. Physicians found that certain foods increase the risk of gout. (Image: ThamKC / fotolia.com) 44,000 men participate in the study
The researchers examined 44,000 male volunteers for their study. They found that a so-called western diet with a lot of processed meat leads to an increased risk for the development of gout. However, if people often consume a lot of fruits, vegetables and nuts, this may protect them from gout, explain the authors.
In the UK, about half a million adults are ill
The physicians hope that these new findings could lead to a new treatment for gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that affects about half a million adults in the UK alone (4 percent of the population).
Men over 30 years and postmenopausal women are most commonly affected
Gout occurs when a build-up of uric acid causes minute crystals to form within the joints. Gout can cause sudden seizures with severe pain and swelling, the researchers say. Gout is most common in men over the age of 30 years and in postmenopausal women. The consumption of soft drinks, French fries, sugar, sweets and desserts may have an impact on the development of gout, the experts add.
Subjects were medically monitored for 26 years
The subjects had to complete detailed questionnaires on the consumption of food and were medically monitored over a period of 26 years. During this period, 1,731 cases of gout were diagnosed in men, the scientists explain. The people who consumed the most fruits had a 32 percent reduction in the risk of gout, experts said.
Fruits and whole grains could be a preventative approach
A diet rich in fruits and wholegrain may be a preventive approach to the risk of gout, explains author. Choi. In addition, this kind of diet prevents people from developing high blood pressure. This problem affects many people with gout. So two birds can be killed with one stone, the expert adds.
Gout causes irreversible damage to the joints
Gout is excruciatingly painful and can cause irreversible damage to the joints. Although diet and lifestyle affect the risk of the disease, but make only a small contribution to the likelihood of those affected develop this disease, the researchers explain.
What are other risk factors for the development of gout?
Other important risk factors for gout include family history and genetics, obesity, certain medications, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and kidney problems, the experts explain. If people think that they may be suffering from gout, they should seek medical attention. (As)