It is widely recognised that the consumption of sugary drinks is linked to an increased risk of diabetes, although the exact pathways involved remain somewhat mysterious. Recent research published on January 31 in Cell Metabolism, a journal by Cell Press, has begun to shed light on this connection. The study reveals that metabolites, by-products produced by gut microbes, might play a crucial role in this process. This research was conducted among a long-term cohort of US Hispanic/Latino adults, and it identified notable differences in the gut microbiota and blood metabolites of individuals who regularly consume high amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages. Notably, those who frequently drank sugary beverages exhibited a metabolite profile that correlated with a heightened risk of developing diabetes over the following decade. This correlation suggests that the gut microbiome could be a key factor in mediating the relationship between sugary drink consumption and diabetes risk.
Senior author Qibin Qi, an Albert Einstein College of Medicine epidemiologist, explains that the study offers a possible mechanism to understand why sugar-sweetened beverages harm metabolism. While the findings are observational, they provide valuable insights that could inform strategies for diabetes prevention or management by targeting the gut microbiome. Qi’s comments highlight the significance of understanding how dietary choices impact our long-term health through complex biological processes.
Sugar-sweetened beverages are a primary source of added sugars in the American diet. Between 2017 and 2018, the average daily consumption of added sugars from beverages like sodas and sweetened fruit juices was approximately 34.8g per adult in the US. Qi highlights that sugars added in liquid form may be absorbed more readily by the body and provide a high energy density, consisting solely of sugar and water, which makes them particularly impactful on metabolism.
The research is pioneering in several ways. Previous studies in Europe and China have demonstrated that sugar-sweetened beverages can alter the composition of the gut microbiome. However, this is the first study to explore whether these microbial changes affect the host’s metabolism and diabetes risk, particularly within the Hispanic/Latino community in the US. This demographic is known not only for its high consumption of sugary beverages but also for its significant prevalence of diabetes.
The data for the study came from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), which includes over 16,000 participants residing in areas like San Diego, Chicago, Miami, and the Bronx. During their initial visit, participants provided diet details over the past 24 hours and supplied blood samples to analyse their serum metabolites. Additionally, faecal samples were collected and analysed to characterise the gut microbiomes of a subset of these participants (n=3,035) during a follow-up visit. This allowed the researchers to draw associations between sugar-sweetened beverage intake, gut microbiome composition, and serum metabolite profiles.
The findings indicated that consuming two or more sugary drinks daily was linked to changes in the abundance of nine specific bacterial species. Four of these species are known to produce short-chain fatty acids, beneficial compounds that result from the bacterial digestion of fibre and positively affect glucose metabolism. Generally, the bacterial species associated with high sugary beverage intake correlated with poorer metabolic traits. Interestingly, these bacteria were not linked to sugar consumed from non-beverage sources. Moreover, the study identified associations between the consumption of sugary drinks and 56 different serum metabolites, including several that are either produced directly by gut microbiota or are derivatives of such metabolites. These sugar-related metabolites were linked to worse metabolic indicators, such as increased levels of fasting blood glucose and insulin, higher body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratios, and reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is considered “good” cholesterol. Significantly, higher levels of these metabolites were associated with an increased likelihood of developing diabetes over the next decade.
More information: Qibin Qi et al, Sugar-sweetened beverage intake, gut microbiota, circulating metabolites, and diabetes risk in Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, Cell Metabolism. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.12.004
Journal information: Cell Metabolism Provided by Cell Press
