If you have been listening to the news these days or happen to read articles on health in your favorite magazine, you may have found some negative press on carbonated sodas. Many popular soft drinks use a very popular sweetener called high-fructose corn syrup. We have been sold the idea for maybe twenty years or more, that high-fructose corn syrup was better for us and not as bad as sugar.  Maybe not so according to conventional wisdom and research. High fructose corn syrup has been linked to Diabetes, Gout, and even Juvenile onset Diabetes. Also, ask anyone who knows the difference between a Mexican Coca-Cola and one bought in the U.S. Mexican Coca-Cola is still made with cane sugar and most people say the Mexican version is way better.

 So with that new information come studies suggesting that men who consume 2 soft drinks daily are somewhere between 60% to 80% more likely to contract Gout. I have seen varying statistics on the subject and that data may be hard to collect accurately. Suffice it to say, the evidence is strong to show that high fructose corn syrup may be bad for sugar balance, and may contribute to obesity and other health problems. Limiting the intake of sodas, or switching to alternate beverages such as herbal teas or green tea even is sure to have benefit.

 There is more. While we have been told most of our lives that eating food from the various food groups is necessary for optimum health, most consider fruit as essential and adhering to good nutrition. I think that idea has to be tempered with the knowledge that too much fruit is likely a bad thing. Chinese medicine or yin-yang theory holds that too much fruit can lead to many problems including premature balding and kidney problems just for starters.

 For easing Gout symptoms, consider paring down on fruit consumption, less sugar and more whole foods. Too much fructose in the diet may contribute to congesting the kidneys, perhaps in part through promoting Candida growth. The kidneys are an important organ essential for the job of filtering toxins from the body. If the filters become clogged or congested, other health problems including kidney impairment or disease are likely to follow. Taking a good supplement or tea for support of kidney function is recommended for most anyone on the planet. Focusing more on whole grains and fresh vegetables is the diet that will serve you best for optimum health.