Sugar consumption may worsen antibiotic damage to gut microbiome

A study published in the journal ‘Nature’ suggests that consuming sugary foods during antibiotic treatment may exacerbate damage to the gut microbiome. Researchers found that high sugar intake during these periods is associated with a significant reduction in bacterial diversity and an increase in potentially harmful microbes.

The research involved a cohort of 173 cancer patients undergoing stem cell transplants, during which researchers tracked over 9,400 meals and analyzed more than 1,000 stool samples. The findings indicated that for every additional 100 grams of sweet foods consumed during treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, there was an approximately 24% decrease in gut bacterial diversity.

One notable consequence of this imbalance is the proliferation of Enterococcus faecium, a bacterium linked to serious complications such as bloodstream infections in vulnerable populations. While researchers noted that it is too early to recommend a universal ban on sugar for all antibiotic users, they suggested that limiting sugar intake during treatment could be a pragmatic way to help maintain microbial balance.