Does Sugar Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Yes. Sugar can aggravate inflammation and worsen rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. Knowing the difference between natural and added sugars can help inform your food choices.

Sugar usually gets a bad rap since strong evidence links it to several health conditions including obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. And if you’re living with RA, sugar may also worsen your symptoms by fuelling inflammation.

But sugar’s role in your body and health is more complex than simply saying sugar is “bad.” Your body needs some sugars to fuel many vital functions.

Having some sugar in your diet, preferably from natural sources, is definitely needed, but you may want to avoid foods that contain added sugar if you’re living with RA.

Does sugar affect RA?

Researchers still do not have the full picture, but evidence suggests that sugar affects RA in a few different ways.

A study from 2014 found that drinking one or more sugar-sweetened soda servings a day increased the risk of developing seropositive RA in women, independent of any other lifestyle or dietary factors.

A 2022 review article found evidence that a type of sugar called glucose can affect RA. It noted that glucose may affect the immune system, leading to increased inflammation and disease activity.

These results confirm other, more generic, studies on sugar’s effect on inflammation.

It’s generally recognized that consuming sugar encourages the production of some types of cytokines, which are proteins involved in inflammation. These cytokines are usually already high in those living with RA or other inflammatory conditions, and further production could worsen inflammation and associated symptoms.

For example, a 2022 study found evidence suggesting excessive sugar and processed food consumption influences and aggravates inflammation.

Inflammation is how the immune system responds to threats. In the case of RA, the immune system mistakes healthy tissue for invaders and initiates an attack, resulting in inflammation. Due to the inflammation, disease activity and symptoms worsen.

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Are some sugars better or worse than others?

Sugar is one type of carbohydrate, also known as a simple carbohydrate or simple sugar. Your body quickly breaks down and absorbs simple carbohydrates, which can lead to a quick spike in blood sugar levels.

Sugar is found naturally in some foods and gets added to others.

Naturally occurring sugars, such as in fruits, milk products, and vegetables, are generally considered good. Often, the nutrients in these foods outweigh the negative of having rapidly absorbed sugar in them.

Most sugars in the American diet are added to foods such as sodas, candies, and other processed foods. These are generally considered worse for your health because added sugars typically have no additional nutritional benefits.

You may want to consider limiting foods with added sugars in favor of foods with natural sugars, such as vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.

Main sources of sugar in your diet to be aware of

Sugar is found in natural sources and added to other foods.

Natural sources of sugar can include:

• apples
• pineapples
• strawberries
• sweet potatoes
• tomatoes
• lemons
• milk

Some examples of foods that might contain added sugar include:

• bread
• candies
• soda
• beer
• fruit drinks
• energy drinks
• pasta
• cereals

Most processed foods contain added sugar in one form or another. This can sometimes make it difficult to find premade options without added sugar.

What about sugar substitutes?

Sugar substitutes, or artificial sweeteners, are chemicals that can be added to foods to make them taste sweet. They offer sweetness without the sugar or calories. People sometimes use them to try and reduce their sugar and calorie intake.

Scientists have extensively studied sugar substitutes and their effect on health, but few have looked exclusively at how they may affect RA.

So, it’s not known if artificial sweeteners will impact RA, but other research suggests they likely will not have an impact on other aspects of your health and may be a better option than added sugar in certain food products.

Dietary considerations for sugar and RA

Some evidence suggests that rather than limiting your sugar, you should eat a diet that balances sugar intake with other nutrients, such as healthy fats, protein, and starches.

Though you should discuss specific dietary concerns with a healthcare provider or dietician, you may want to consider eating a diet that mainly consists of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats (such as olive oil), lean protein, and whole grains.

Limiting processed foods and drinks can help reduce excessive sugar intake.

You may find that eating processed foods in smaller amounts or less frequently helps you feel better and reduces your risk of other health issues related to excessive sugar, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Some frequently asked questions

The following sections provide answers to some frequently asked questions.

Can cutting out sugar help RA?

Evidence suggests that limiting foods with added sugar may help reduce or at least not contribute to inflammation.

Naturally occurring sugar, found in fruits, vegetables, and milk, is generally a good source due to the added nutritional benefits these foods can offer.

Does sugar make RA flare up?

Excessive sugar may increase or fuel inflammation. Limiting sugar intake may make an impact, but you will still want to follow any treatment plans for a flare you make with a doctor.

What foods aggravate RA?

Foods to avoid can vary between people, but in general, avoiding processed foods and foods with added sugar may help to limit the aggravation of RA.

The takeaway

There’s evidence to suggest that simple sugars may worsen inflammation. This could lead to more RA disease activity and added symptoms.

But it’s important to remember that not all sugars are the same.

While you may still want to be wary of how much you consume, eating foods with naturally occurring sugars is generally good because of the other nutritional benefits. These foods might include milk, fruits, and vegetables.

Foods with added sugars, such as sodas, candies, and processed foods, do not typically offer any additional benefits. Limiting these types of foods may help prevent excessive inflammation associated with increased disease activity and worsening symptoms.