Regular Pepsi is sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, both of which raise uric acid and increase gout flare risk.
Regular Pepsi is a carbonated cola sweetened with sugar and sweeteners in the UK/EU , while the standard U.S. formula uses high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) [2][4]. A 100ml serving supplies about 78kJ of energy, almost entirely from added sugars [1], so a single 330ml can delivers roughly 35g of sugar.
Both table sugar (sucrose) and HFCS contain fructose. The liver rapidly metabolizes fructose, which accelerates ATP breakdown and increases uric acid production within hours of consumption. Regular intake of sugar-sweetened sodas like Pepsi is therefore associated with higher serum urate levels and a greater risk of gout flares. The drink itself is low in purines and contains no alcohol, so its sugar load is the main hazard.
Treat regular Pepsi as an occasional treat at best, and ideally avoid it entirely during an active flare. Even one can can noticeably spike uric acid. If you want a cola without the risk, choose Pepsi Max or Diet Pepsi—both are sweetened with aspartame rather than sugar or HFCS, and provide a cola taste with negligible impact on urate. Water, plain sparkling water, or unsweetened tea remain the safest choices for daily hydration.
AI-researched information — not medical advice. Ask a qualified clinician before changing your diet or treatment.