Synopsis
A new study reveals the connection between gut microbes and diabetes risk due to sugary drink consumption, highlighting changes in microbiota and metabolites that could inform diabetes prevention strategies.Key Takeaways
- Gut microbes influence diabetes risk linked to sugary drinks.
- High intake of sugary beverages alters gut microbiota.
- Four bacterial species produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids.
- Metabolite changes may predict future diabetes.
- Over 16,000 participants studied for metabolic effects.
New Delhi, Feb 3 (NationPress) A group of researchers from the US has unraveled the influence of gut microbes on the heightened risk of diabetes associated with the consumption of sugary beverages.
The findings, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, indicate that metabolites generated by gut microbes could play a significant role.
The research team detected variations in the gut microbiota and blood metabolites of individuals consuming a high quantity of sugar-sweetened drinks. It was observed that an intake of two or more sugary beverages daily resulted in alterations across nine bacterial species.
Among these, four species are recognized for producing short-chain fatty acids—molecules formed during the digestion of fiber by bacteria—which are known to positively affect glucose metabolism.
The modified profile of metabolites noted in those drinking sugary beverages was linked to an increased likelihood of developing diabetes over the following decade, the researchers reported.
"Our research proposes a possible mechanism elucidating why sugar-sweetened beverages adversely affect metabolism," explained Qibin Qi, an epidemiologist at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
"While our findings are observational, they offer valuable insights into potential strategies for diabetes prevention or management through the gut microbiome," Qi added.
The researcher highlighted that added sugars in beverages may be absorbed more readily than in solid foods, as they contain a very high energy density because they consist mainly of sugar and water.
The research examined data from over 16,000 participants. Besides the changes in gut microbiota, the study also identified associations between sugary beverage intake and 56 serum metabolites, including several that are produced by the gut microbiota or derivatives of those metabolites.
These sugar-related metabolites were correlated with unfavorable metabolic traits, such as elevated fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, increased BMIs, waist-to-hip ratios, and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol).
"Our findings indicate that numerous microbiota-related metabolites are tied to diabetes risk," Qi remarked. "In other terms, these metabolites could serve as predictors for future diabetes."
