Sugar consumption during antibiotic therapy may damage gut microbiome

A new study published in the journal Nature indicates that consuming sugary foods while undergoing antibiotic therapy can damage the gut microbiome. This combination may increase vulnerability to dangerous infections.

The research utilized a natural experiment involving hospitalized cancer patients receiving long-term antibiotics prior to stem cell transplantation. Because these patients consumed only hospital-prepared meals, researchers were able to precisely monitor nutritional intake, avoiding the inaccuracies common in dietary studies that rely on participant memory.

Dr. Jonathan Peled, a physician and scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, noted that this study is unique because it examines patients whose microbiomes and nutritional status are simultaneously altered by cancer treatment. A diverse microbiome is essential for digestion, vitamin production, and immune function, and helps prevent pathogens from causing disease.