Eliminating Sugar May Harm Your Gut Health, Study Finds

WHO:

SciTechDaily - Rasheed Ahmad, Ph.D., principal scientist and head of the Immunology & Microbiology Department at the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait City, Kuwait.

SciTechDaily - Faisal Hamed Al-Refaei, MD, Acting Director General of Dasman Diabetes Institute.

WHAT:

SciTechDaily - A study found that completely eliminating sucrose from a diet may disrupt gut health and worsen metabolic health.

SciTechDaily - The study involved two groups of mice over a duration of 16 weeks, one group consuming a low-fat diet with sucrose and the other without.

SciTechDaily - Mice on the sugar-free diet showed poorer glucose regulation, insulin resistance, imbalances in gut microbes, inflammation in the intestines, and changes associated with fatty liver disease.

WHERE:

SciTechDaily - The findings were presented at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

SciTechDaily - The Dasman Diabetes Institute is located in Kuwait City, Kuwait.

WHEN:

SciTechDaily - The study findings were presented at ENDO 2026.

WHY:

SciTechDaily - The study highlights that balanced nutrition is more important than simply eliminating sugar.

SciTechDaily - The research may influence future dietary recommendations by emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.

HOW:

SciTechDaily - Researchers measured indicators of metabolic health, including glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, circulating metabolic hormones, gut microbiome composition, and inflammation levels in the colon and liver.

(UPDATED June 15, 2026 23:38 UTC)

A recent study led by Dr. Rasheed Ahmad and Dr. Faisal Hamed Al-Refaei at the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait City found that completely eliminating sucrose from a diet could negatively impact gut health and worsen metabolic conditions. Over 16 weeks, researchers observed two groups of mice, one on a low-fat diet with sucrose and the other without, revealing that those on the sugar-free diet experienced poorer glucose regulation, insulin resistance, and inflammation in the intestines. These findings were presented at ENDO 2026 in Chicago, emphasizing that balanced nutrition is crucial and may shape future dietary recommendations to support a healthy gut microbiome.