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Sugar & Antibiotics: A Gut Wrenching Combo?
2 Oct
Summary
- Consuming sugar while on antibiotics may worsen gut microbiome disruptions.
- A study found a 21% drop in gut microbiome diversity with high sugar intake.
- Avoiding simple sugars during antibiotic treatment may help mitigate disruption.
A recent study indicates that dietary sugar intake may significantly impact gut microbiome changes experienced during antibiotic treatment. Researchers analyzed data from 173 hospitalized cancer patients, observing that higher sugar consumption correlated with substantial disruptions in gut bacteria. Specifically, a 21% decrease in microbiome diversity was noted for every 100 grams of sugar consumed around antibiotic treatment periods.
The study, published in Nature, also found that the combination of sugar and antibiotics was strongly associated with an overgrowth of Enterococcus faecium, a bacterium linked to difficult infections. Mouse experiments further supported these findings, showing a 16-fold increase in this bacterium when sugar and antibiotics were administered together.
While the study focused on severely ill patients, experts suggest that this insight is valuable for the general population taking antibiotics for less severe infections. They recommend being mindful of sugar intake during this period to potentially mitigate negative effects on the gut ecosystem, advising a focus on fiber-rich, minimally processed foods and limiting added sugars from sweets and sugary beverages.
