In March 2012, The Journal of Nutrition reported that more than eight million Americans suffer from gout, a painful inflammatory condition that affects the joints. Gout occurs when the body’s uric acid levels increase, and this study found that a high-calorie diet that includes a lot of corn syrup boosts uric acid. To reach these conclusions, the researchers evaluated 21 different published clinical trials featuring 425 participants. 

This data is consistent with previous findings. In April 2010, researchers published their data in Kidney International demonstrating that sugar-sweetened soda consumption is not only associated with an increased risk of gout, but also chronic kidney disease. High fructose corn syrup is frequently used in soft drinks.

What’s more, the researchers concluded, “The results of this study complement a growing body of literature tying sugar-sweetened soda consumption to higher rates of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes.” The researchers explained that consumption of high fructose corn syrup has increased nearly 2,000 percent over the past 30 years and has “paralleled the epidemics of obesity, metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease.”

While gout mainly affects middle-aged to older adults, there is increasing concern as to the health impacts of high fructose corn syrup on children. A January 2012 study published in The Journal of Nutrition showed that corn syrup intake was associated with an increase in several heart disease risk factors in adolescents age 14 to 18.

Cola sodas are additionally dangerous because they contain caramel coloring, which has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.