Impact of sugar on skin and gut microbiome

Research indicates that sugar consumption has significant negative effects on both physical appearance and internal biological systems. High sugar intake is linked to skin issues such as inflammation, acne, and the degradation of collagen and elastin through a process called glycation.

Newer findings published in the journal ‘Nature’ by researchers from institutions including New York University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and City of Hope provide specific data on how sugar exacerbates the disruption of the gut microbiome caused by antibiotic use. In a study of 173 cancer patients undergoing intensive antibiotic therapy prior to stem cell transplants, researchers found that for every 100 grams of sugar consumed, microbial diversity decreased by approximately 21 to 24 percent. This finding was supported by tracking over 9,400 hospital-prepared meals.

This imbalance facilitates the proliferation of harmful bacteria, specifically ‘Enterococcus faecium’, which can lead to serious bloodstream infections in immunocompromised individuals. In mouse models, the combination of antibiotics and sucrose resulted in a 33-fold increase in Enterococcus populations by the sixth day.

Data also indicated that patients with higher sugar intake had a roughly 12 percent higher mortality rate following stem cell transplants compared to those with lower consumption. While a direct causal link between sugar and mortality has not been definitively proven, researchers suggest that limiting sugary foods and drinks during antibiotic courses—and potentially increasing fiber and fermented foods—may serve as a low-cost strategy to protect microbiota and improve clinical outcomes during oncological therapy.