Sweetened beverage consumption and the risk of hyperuricemia in Mexican adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of hyperuricemia has doubled worldwide during the last few decades. The substantial increase in sweetened beverage (SB) consumption has also coincided with the secular trend of hyperuricemia. Recent studies do show that the consumption of SB can induce hyperuricemia. However, the association between SB and hyperuricemia remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between SB consumption and levels of uric acid in Mexican adults.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from selected adults participating in the baseline assessment of the Health Workers Cohort Study. A total of 6,705 participants of both sexes between ages 18 and 70 years were included. SB intake was estimated using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Biochemical and anthropometric information was collected using standard procedures. Hyperuricemia was defined as uric acid levels ≥ 7.0 mg/dL in men and ≥ 5.8 mg/dL in women. The association of interest was assessed by multiple logistic regression models.

Results: The odds ratios (OR) for hyperuricemia in men who consume 0.5-1 SB/day was 1.59 (95% CI; 1.05-2.40) and 2.29 (95% CI; 1.55-3.38) for those who consume ≥3 SB/day when compared to men who consume less than half a SB/day. In women, the OR for hyperuricemia for those who consume >1.0- < 3.0 SB/day was 1.33 (95% CI; 1.04-1.70) and 1.35 (95% CI; 1.04-1.75) for those who consume ≥3 SB/day when compared to women who consume less than half a SB/day, independent of other covariables. Men and women with high SB consumption and a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 Kg/m2 had greater risk for hyperuricemia than men and women with low SB consumption and normal BMI < 25 Kg/m2.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the consumption of SB is associated with an increased risk of hyperuricemia in Mexican adults. However, longitudinal research is needed to confirm the association between SB intake and hyperuricemia.

Figure 1

Multivariate odds ratio of hyperuricemia in men, according to the tertiles of sweetened beverage intake. *Analyses of effect modification: (A) stratified by body mass index (BMI: < 25 kg/m2 vs ≥ 25 kg/m2), (B) stratified by age (< 50 years vs ≥ 50 years. Reference group for comparisons was men in lowest tertile of sweetened beverage intake and (A) with body mass index < 25 kg/m2, and (B) with age < 50 years. Odds ratio were adjusted for: age (years), tobacco use (current smoker, ex-smoker y non-smoker), physical activity (active ≥ 30 min/day, inactive < 30 min/day), weight change (did not gain, gained, lost), calorie intake (quintiles), percentage of energy from total carbohydrate (quintiles), percentage of energy from protein (quintiles), alcohol intake (gr/day), vitamin C intake (mg/day), and body mass index.

Figure 2

Multivariate odds ratio of hyperuricemia in women, according to the tertiles of sweetened beverage intake. *Analyses of effect modification: (A) stratified by body mass index (BMI: < 25 kg/m2 vs. ≥ 25 kg/m2), (B) stratified by age (< 50 years vs. ≥ 50 years. Reference group for comparisons was women in lowest tertile of sweetened beverage intake and (A) with body mass index < 25 kg/m2, and (B) with age < 50 years. Odds ratio were adjusted for: age (years), tobacco use (current smoker, ex-smoker y non-smoker), physical activity (active ≥ 30 min/d, inactive < 30 min/d), weight change (did not gain, gained, lost), calorie intake (quintiles), percentage of energy from total carbohydrate (quintiles), percentage of energy from protein (quintiles), alcohol intake (g/d), vitamin C intake (mg/d), and body mass index.