Sugar-Free Diet in Mice Triggers Hidden Metabolic Setbacks

A 16-week mouse study found that removing sucrose from a low-fat diet disrupted gut bacteria, reduced beneficial microbes, and led to metabolic problems—impaired glucose control, insulin resistance, and fat buildup in the liver—despite similar body weight. The researchers caution that the findings, presented at ENDO 2026 and awaiting peer review, don’t yet translate to humans and suggest that completely eliminating sugar may not always be beneficial, underscoring the need to balance carbohydrates and gut health.