Dasman Study Finds 16-Week Sucrose Ban Disrupts Mice Metabolism at ENDO 2026

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 18

A 16-week mouse study presented at ENDO 2026 found that removing sucrose entirely from a low-fat diet worsened gut and metabolic health despite no extra weight gain.
Mice on the sugar-free diet developed gut-microbe imbalances, higher intestinal and liver inflammation, poorer glucose control, insulin resistance and cellular changes linked to fatty liver disease.
Dasman Diabetes Institute researchers said the findings challenge the idea that stricter sugar elimination is automatically healthier, at least in low-fat diets.
Because the work was limited to mice and low-fat meals, the team said human trials are needed and the results may not apply to higher-fat or ketogenic diets.
The study suggests future dietary guidance could focus less on absolute sugar bans and more on balanced nutrition that supports a diverse gut microbiome.