Cutting out sugar completely may harm gut health, study finds
Eliminating sugar entirely from the diet may have unintended consequences for gut and metabolic health, according to new research presented at ENDO 2026, the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in Chicago, reports a Qazinform News Agency correspondent.
Researchers from the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait found that mice fed a low-fat diet with no sucrose for 16 weeks developed signs of metabolic and gut health problems despite maintaining body weights similar to those of mice that consumed sucrose.
The study assessed glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, metabolic hormones, gut microbiota and inflammation in the colon and liver.
According to the researchers, mice on the sucrose-free diet showed poorer glucose control, insulin resistance, imbalances in gut bacteria, intestinal inflammation and changes linked to fatty liver disease.
“Completely removing sucrose from a low-fat diet may unexpectedly disrupt gut health and promote inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, highlighting that balanced nutrition is more important than simply eliminating sugar,” said Rasheed Ahmad, Principal Scientist and Head of the Immunology & Microbiology Department at the Dasman Diabetes Institute.
“The findings suggest that complete removal of sucrose from a low-fat diet may negatively affect gut microbiota and metabolic health,” Ahmad added. “The study highlights the importance of maintaining balanced dietary carbohydrates to support gut and immune homeostasis.”
Researchers said the findings could influence future dietary recommendations by shifting the focus from strict sugar elimination to maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and overall dietary balance.
“This research may influence future dietary recommendations by emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome rather than focusing only on sugar restriction,” Ahmad said.
“Studies such as this reflect our institute's commitment to advancing evidence-based scientific discoveries that improve public health outcomes and deepen our understanding of metabolic disease,” said Faisal Hamed Al-Refaei, Acting Director General of the Dasman Diabetes Institute.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that researchers are uncovering new clues behind the rising incidence of colorectal cancer among people under 50, suggesting the disease may be biologically distinct from cases traditionally diagnosed in older adults.
