A new study published in Cell Metabolism suggests that sugar-sweetened beverages may increase diabetes risk by altering gut bacteria and blood metabolites. Researchers found that individuals who consumed high amounts of sugary drinks had distinct differences in their gut microbiota, which were linked to metabolic changes associated with a higher likelihood of developing diabetes over the next decade.
Investigating the Link Between Sugary Drinks and Gut Bacteria
The study focused on a long-term cohort of U.S. Hispanic/Latino adults, a population that experiences high rates of diabetes and consumes significant amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages. The research team, led by epidemiologist Qibin Qi of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, analyzed data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), a large-scale study involving over 16,000 participants across multiple U.S. cities.
Participants reported their dietary intake, provided blood samples, and, for a subset of 3,035 individuals, submitted fecal samples to assess gut microbiome composition. The analysis revealed that those who drank two or more sugary beverages per day had altered levels of nine bacterial species, four of which are typically involved in glucose metabolism. These changes were associated with metabolic traits such as higher fasting blood sugar, increased insulin resistance, and higher body mass index (BMI).
Metabolic Changes and Increased Diabetes Risk
Researchers also identified 56 blood metabolites linked to sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Some of these metabolites, which are either produced by gut microbes or derived from microbial activity, correlated with worse metabolic health indicators. Notably, individuals with elevated levels of these metabolites were more likely to develop diabetes within 10 years.
“Our study suggests a potential mechanism to explain why sugar-sweetened beverages are harmful to metabolism,” said Qi. “Although our findings are observational, they provide insights for potential diabetes prevention or management strategies using the gut microbiome.”
While previous studies in Europe and China have demonstrated that sugary beverages impact gut bacteria, this is the first U.S.-based study to examine whether those changes influence diabetes risk.
Investigating Microbial Influence on Chronic Disease
Researchers plan to further investigate whether specific gut microbes and their metabolic byproducts directly contribute to the development of diabetes. They also intend to explore the role of microbial metabolites in other chronic diseases linked to high sugar consumption, such as cardiovascular disease.
The findings add to growing evidence that sugar-sweetened beverages do more than contribute to weight gain—they may disrupt metabolic processes at the microbial level, increasing long-term health risks.
Reference: Yanbo Zhang, Kai Luo, Brandilyn A. Peters, Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani, Jee-Young Moon, Yi Wang, Martha L. Daviglus, Linda Van Horn, Amanda C. McClain, Christina Cordero, James S. Floyd, Bing Yu, Ryan W. Walker, Robert D. Burk, Robert C. Kaplan, Qibin Qi. Sugar-sweetened beverage intake, gut microbiota, circulating metabolites, and diabetes risk in Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Cell Metabolism, 2025.
