According to the results of a new study by an international team of researchers from the United States and Canada, men who consume a high amount of sugary drinks have an increased risk of developing gout. Gout is common amongst men over age 40, and is caused by an excess level of uric acid in blood.

For men with gout, high levels of uric acid thus lead to the deposit of crystals around joints, which results in swelling and intense pain. One of the most commonly affect joints by gout is the knee.

In this study, researchers examined 46,000 men age 40 and older over the course of 12 years. At the beginning of the study all of the men were healthy, and none had any history of gout. Over the 12 years, the men were quizzed about their dietary habits, with particular attention being paid to soft drinks and other sugary drinks.

During the follow-up period of 12 years, there were 755 new cases of gout in the group of men.

What the researchers found was that the risk of gout increased when men consumed at least five to six servings of sugary drinks per week. Those who trank more than two servings per day were at an 85% increased risk of developing gout.

Some fruits high in fructose, which many of us don't think as unhealthy or bad, were seen to increase the risk of gout. These would include apples and oranges, which double your risk of developing gout.

These risks of developing gout were seen to be independent of other factors, including age, high blood pressure, alcohol intake, diuretic use, body mass index, and diet.

Lead researcher Dr. Hyon K. Choi of the British Columbia University said, "This is the first study and a very large one, linking the commonly consumed products to this common disorder. We've found that if you have high consumption of fructose, your gout risk is doubled."

Full details of the study appear in the British Medical Journal.