Once known as the disease of kings (as well as 18th century essayists and 21st century food writers), the prevalence of gout has risen steadily in the past two decades, according to a study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism.

Nearly 8.3 million Americans, or about 4% of the adult population, now suffer from gout. That's a 1-3% rise since the previous U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 1988-1994. That may not sound like a steep climb, but consider that prior research found the incidence of gout in the U.S. more than doubled from the 1960s to the 1990s. Why? Basically, we're fat. Too much bacon, burgers and foie.

That's why some of us food writer types work hard to work off the calories.

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