Hidden Danger of Soda Revealed: How Sugary Drinks Weaken the Immune System Through Gut Bacteria
Researchers from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism by which sugary carbonated drinks may harm the human immune system. The study, published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, found that regular consumption of soda with refined sugar can alter the DNA of gut bacteria, disrupting immune function.
The Focus: A Key Gut Bacterium — Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
Scientists focused their attention on Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, one of the most important beneficial bacteria living in the human gut. This bacterium plays a crucial role in protecting the intestinal lining, suppressing inflammation, and combating harmful pathogens.
The researchers discovered that frequent intake of sugary soda causes inversions in the DNA of this bacterium — a type of genetic rearrangement. These changes affect the bacterium’s activity and how it interacts with the body’s immune system.
Consequences for the Immune System: Inflammation, Immune Disruption, and Leaky Gut
Laboratory experiments on mice revealed that these DNA changes have a direct impact on several key immune processes:
-
They disrupt the regulation of inflammatory markers;
-
They reduce the activity of T-cells, critical components of immune defense;
-
They alter the production of cytokines — signaling proteins that regulate immune responses;
-
They increase the intestinal wall's permeability, which can lead to "leaky gut syndrome" and allow toxins to enter the bloodstream.
A Rapid Microbiome Response to Sugar
Further tests using cell cultures, rodents, and human volunteers confirmed that gut microbiota reacts quickly to dietary sugar. Even short-term increases in sugar intake can lead to noticeable changes in gut bacteria.
The good news? The researchers emphasized that these effects are reversible. Just a few days after cutting out sugary sodas, the DNA of the gut bacteria begins to return to normal, and immune function stabilizes.
A Path Toward Personalized Nutrition
According to the researchers, these findings may pave the way for new approaches to disease prevention. Diets personalized based on an individual’s microbiota and sugar intake could not only strengthen the immune system but also reduce the risk of chronic conditions — including autoimmune and metabolic disorders.
“We’ve long known that diet affects the microbiota, and that microbiota in turn influences the immune system. But now we’re beginning to see just how deep this connection goes — even down to genetic changes in bacteria,” the study authors noted.
