Study Links Fructose-Sweetener and Kidney Disease

Sugar-sweetened beverage intake may increase levels of uric acid, a compound linked to decreased kidney function, a new study says.

The report, after analysing 16,000 respondents, found the risk of chronic kidney disease increased by 150% in those who take more than one fizzy drink a day and had high levels of uric acid.

Researchers from New York’s Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons said that fructose, when detected in high levels, lead to an increased production of uric acid.

Another study, however, did not find a link between the consumption of fructose from fructose-containing foods and beverages, and a high level of uric acid, hyperuricemia.

According to data from almost 10,000 participants of the US NHANES 1999-2004 databases did not support a link between fructose consumption and hyperuricemia.