Scientists found a surprising problem with sugar-free diets

Article excerpt

Mice fed a completely sugar-free diet developed worse blood sugar control, increased inflammation, and fatty liver disease compared to rodents that consumed some sucrose, according to a new study. The counterintuitive finding suggests that eliminating sugar entirely may backfire, disrupting the gut microbiome in ways that harm metabolic health. Researchers emphasize that a balanced diet, rather than total sugar avoidance, and a healthy gut microbiome matter more than cutting out sugar altogether. The work challenges the popular assumption that zero sugar is always better.