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Decades of evidence show that regular soda consumption is linked to less good health results.
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The latest study on the subject suggests that the negative effects can be partly mediated by the intestinal microbiome.
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The researchers have identified nine bacterial species that seem important in this relationship.
A new study, which appears in Cellular metabolismconcludes that the consumption of sugary drinks is linked to an increase in the levels of nine specific bacteria in the intestinal microbiome.
As these microbes decompose food, they produce certain compounds or metabolites. Scientists found that these chemicals were associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
How does soda consumption have an impact on health?
Previous research has shown that people who drink large amounts of sugary drinks are more likely to have type 2 diabetes.
Although the consumption of these drinks has decreased in recent years, they were still the main source of sugar consumption added to the United States between 2017 and 2018.
The mechanism by which soda consumption influences health is likely to be multifaceted. For example, experts believe that these factors all play a role:
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excessive weight gain
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Insulin resistance – when cells no longer respond adequately to insulin
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inflammation
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Atherogenic dyslipidemia – unhealthy levels of blood fats.
In addition, sugar in soda “could be more easily absorbed because it is only sugar and water,” explained the main author Qibin Qi, PHD, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY , in a press release.
More recently, evidence has emerged that soda consumption could change the intestinal microbiome, which could contribute to the risk of diabetes.
According to the authors of the new study, evidence of animal studies suggest that the consumption of the main sugars in soda – fructose and glucose – is linked to:
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Reduced diversity of intestinal bacteria – a marker of a less healthy microbiome
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Reduced levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAS) – Metabolites produced by “good” intestinal bacteria that support overall health
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Increased levels of bacterial species linked to inflammation.
Likewise, a small study on 12 females revealed that the high fructose syrup reduced the number of “good” bacteria that produce a SCFA called Butyrate.
Other human studies have also shown that sugary drinks are associated with changes to the intestinal microbiome.
Likewise, a Chinese study has shown that people who drank soda had certain bacterial metabolites in their blood linked to better health.
The latest study, however, is the first to study the links between soda consumption, intestinal microbiome, bacteria metabolites in the blood and the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Like Lucy McCann, MD, associated nutritionist and clinical researcher said it Medical news today: “The assessment of these associations is crucial since the contribution of sugar riding drinks increases in the world. The current average contribution is 2.7 portions per week. »»
In particular, scientists have accessed data from more than 16,000 phrases / Latinos in the United States, they have chosen to focus on this population because they have both high soda consumption and a high prevalence of diabetes of Type 2.
Soda consumption linked to intestinal microbiome changes
The researchers found that soda consumption was linked to changes in nine species of intestinal bacteria. For example, four species of bacteria that produce beneficial ACFAs have been reduced in the number of those who drank two or more sodas per day.
Scientists also identified levels of 56 bacterial metabolites and related compounds linked to changes in the intestinal microbiome.
These compounds are associated with the metabolism of:
In this study, scientists found that the compounds associated with glycerophospholid and BCAA were linked to the risk of high diabetes and poorer metabolic lines, such as higher levels of blood sugar, a higher body mass index (BMI) And lower levels of “good” cholesterol.
On the other hand, increased levels of AAA derivatives and phenylfate were linked to better metabolic features.
Intestinal microbiome changes can predict diabetes
This is one of the few studies to study these complex relationships between intestinal microbes, their metabolites and diabetes. Much more research is necessary to fully understand the links, but the authors hope that, in the future, the metabolites they have measured could help predict and perhaps even treat diabetes.
“Our study suggests a potential mechanism to explain why sugary drinks are bad for your metabolism,” Qi said in the press release. “Although our results are observational, they provide information on potential prevention or diabetes management strategies using the intestinal microbiome.”
Qi also noted that these metabolites could serve as an early alert system: “We have found that several metabolites linked to the microbiota are associated with the risk of diabetes. In other words, these metabolites can predict future diabetes. »»
The team of scientists plans to continue this investigation line by testing “that bacteria and metabolites can mediate or at least partially media the association between sugary drinks and the risk of diabetes”, explains Qi.
What to drink instead of soda
We asked McCann to provide healthier options to standard sodas.
“There are a lot of healthier swaps that we can do to avoid or reduce the consumption of sweet-sucks,” she said. “In the end, with regard to drinks, water is always the healthiest choice.”
“However, if you want something sparkling, it is best to choose weak sugar and sweetener options, such as sparkling waters or kombucha,” advised McCann.
Because kombucha is fermented and naturally contains living microbes, it can support the health of the intestinal microbiome. However, it is important to seek a product that contains living microbes and no added sugars.
The problem with microbiome research
“It is difficult to find an aspect of health that has not been associated with the intestinal microbiome,” said McCann Mnt – This is a fascinating subject.
However, it is almost infinitely complex: the intestinal microbiome varies considerably between geographic regions and between individuals – even identical twins. It fluctuates throughout the day and can change quickly and radically in driving food changes.
Each species produces a range of compounds when it metabine food. And each of these compounds has the potential to be converted to other compounds either by other microbes or intestinal enzymes.
The intestinal microbiome still contains many mysteries, and it is likely to maintain them for many years to come. But watching them take place will undoubtedly be fascinating.
Consult the original article on medical news today
