A study presented at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, suggests that a total lack of sucrose, or table sugar, may harm gut health<\/a> and disrupt the body’s natural metabolism.<\/p>\n To explore how the total absence of dietary sugar impacts the body, researchers at the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait City conducted a 16-week study on two groups of mice. Both groups were placed on a low-fat diet, but with one critical difference.<\/p>\n COMMON CHEMICALS FROM FOOD ADDITIVES TO PESTICIDES MAY BE WRECKING YOUR GUT HEALTH, STUDY SAYS<\/a><\/p>\n One group consumed a low-fat diet that included a standard amount of sucrose, while the other group ate a low-fat diet<\/a> that was completely sugar-free, according to the study’s press release.<\/p>\n Throughout the trial, the scientists monitored a wide variety of physiological factors, including the animals’ weight, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, hormone levels, internal inflammation and the specific composition of their gut bacteria.<\/p>\n A total lack of dietary sugar can cause imbalances in the gut bacteria and lead to signs of fatty liver disease, even without any weight gain, researchers said. (iStock)<\/p>\n The study outcome suggested that completely removing sugar caused several unexpected health problems.<\/p>\n “Completely removing sucrose from a low-fat diet may unexpectedly disrupt gut health and promote inflammation and metabolic dysfunction,” Rasheed Ahmad, principal scientist and head of the Immunology & Microbiology Department at the Dasman Diabetes Institute, said in the release.<\/p>\n AMERICANS’ HIGH SUGAR CONSUMPTION PROMPTS URGENT WARNING FROM HEALTH LEADERS<\/a><\/p>\n Even though the mice on the sugar-free diet did not gain any extra weight<\/a> compared to the control group, their internal health indicators deteriorated.<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n The animals that lacked sucrose developed an imbalance in their gut microbes<\/a> and increased inflammation within the intestines and liver.<\/p>\n They also showed signs of poor glucose regulation, insulin resistance and cellular changes associated with fatty liver disease, according to the research.<\/p>\n Future dietary guidelines may shift away from strict, absolute sugar bans and instead focus on overall gut health through balanced nutrition. (iStock)<\/p>\n “The findings suggest that complete removal of sucrose from a low-fat diet may negatively affect gut microbiota and metabolic health,” Ahmad concluded.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n While the risks of high-sugar diets<\/a> are well-established, the researchers noted that little attention has been given to the effects of completely eliminating sugar from low-fat meals.<\/p>\n Scientists say these new findings highlight that dietary carbohydrates play a valuable role in supporting balance between the immune system and the gut microbiome.<\/p>\n Completely cutting sucrose from a low-fat diet can unexpectedly trigger gut inflammation and disrupt the metabolism, experts say. (iStock)<\/p>\n Because this research was conducted on mice over a relatively short 16-week period, further clinical trials are necessary to determine whether a completely sugar-free diet causes the same gut and liver inflammation in humans.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n Additionally, the study focused specifically on removing sucrose from low-fat meals, meaning the results might not apply to people eliminating sugar while following higher-fat or ketogenic eating plans<\/a>, the researchers noted.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n The team believes that future dietary guidelines may shift away from strict, absolute sugar restrictions and instead place a greater emphasis on maintaining a diverse, healthy population of gut bacteria through balanced nutrition<\/a>.<\/p>\n “In the long term, these findings could help improve strategies for preventing and managing metabolic disorders, fatty liver disease and chronic inflammatory conditions,” Ahmad said.<\/p>\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/woman-adding-sugar-coffee-fox-news-001.jpeg\")
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