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Lipids and cardiovascular/metabolic health

Consumption of sucrose-sweetened soft drinks increases plasma levels of uric acid in overweight and obese subjects: a 6-month randomised controlled trial

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 69, pages 949–953 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

Sucrose-sweetened soft drinks (SSSDs) are associated with the development of metabolic disorders. Fructose is a major component of SSSDs and is demonstrated to induce uric acid (UA) production and stimulate fat accumulation independent of excess caloric intake. UA induce insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation, suggesting that UA may have a causal role in the development of metabolic complications. The objective of this study is to investigate the long-term effects of consuming SSSDs on circulating levels of UA in overweight and obese subjects.

Subjects/Methods:

Using a previously published study, circulating UA levels were assessed at baseline and after 6 months using chromogenic enzymatic absorptiometry. The study included 47 overweight and obese subjects without diabetes, randomised to consume 1 l daily of either SSSD (regular cola), isocaloric semi-skimmed milk, diet cola or water for 6 months.

Results:

Circulating UA levels increased ~15% (P=0.02) after the 6-month intervention in the SSSD group with no change in the other groups. In the SSSD group, circulating UA levels increased significantly after the intervention in both absolute (P=0.005) and relative values (P=0.004). The change in UA after the intervention correlated with changes in liver fat (P=0.005), triglycerides (P=0.02) and insulin (P=0.002).

Conclusions:

In this secondary analysis daily intake of 1 l SSSD for 6 months was found to increase circulating UA levels compared with isocaloric milk, diet cola and water. Thus, a high daily intake of SSSDs in overweight and obese subjects without overt diabetes may increase the risk of developing metabolic complications through the elevation of UA. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT00777647.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Lenette Pedersen and Pia Hornbek for skilful technical assistance. The study was financially supported by grants from The Danish Council for Strategic Research, The Food Study Group/ Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Novo Nordic Foundation, and Clinical Institute at Aarhus University, Denmark; the semi-skimmed milk was donated by the Danish Dairy Company, Arla Foods, but without having any influence on the design, interpretation or conclusions of the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine (MEA), Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

    J M Bruun, M Maersk & B Richelsen

  2. Medical Department, Regional Hospital of Randers, Randers, Denmark

    J M Bruun

  3. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    A Belza & A Astrup

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  1. J M Bruun
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  2. M Maersk
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  3. A Belza
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  4. A Astrup
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Correspondence to J M Bruun.

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Supplementary Information accompanies this paper on European Journal of Clinical Nutrition website

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Bruun, J., Maersk, M., Belza, A. et al. Consumption of sucrose-sweetened soft drinks increases plasma levels of uric acid in overweight and obese subjects: a 6-month randomised controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 69, 949–953 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2015.95

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