Sunday June 30, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- Early studies have shown that the eating fructose can lead to an increase in uric acid in the blood which is associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease (endothelial dysfunction) among other diseases.  A new study found the association between uric acid and diabetes mellitus risk is particularly stronger in women than men.

S. Kivity and  colleagues from The Chaim Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, Israel has recently published the study in Journal of Women’s Health that shows each 1 mg/dL increase in serum uric acid was associated with 57% increased risk for diabetes mellitus type II compared to 8% increased risk found among men. 

Fructose is one of dietary sources for uric acid.  Fructose in the liver bypasses two highly regulated steps in glycolysis by glucokinase and phosphofructokinase, both subject to regulation by the concentration of their metabolic byproducts.  Fructose, on the other hand, is metabolized by fructokinase (KHK), which has no negative feedback system leading to intracellular phosphate depletion and the rapid generation of uric acid when AMP deaminase is activated.

The current study was based on data from 9140 men and women at a median age of 50 who participated in annual medical screening between 2000 and 2009 and were followed up for 4.8 years.

To reduce the risk of type II diabetes mellitus, one should reduce his consumption of sugar sweetened beverages and sugar-added processed.  Both cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup which are commonly used in beverages and processed foods, contain fructose.   Fructose has been linked also to increased risk for obesity. (reporting by Jmmy Downs)