Jornal de Genética e Genomas

The Not so Sweet Side of Added Sugar

Abstract

Heidi A Tissenbaum* and Samuel F Kingsley

Consumption of sugar in its many forms produces energy required by the brain and body yet can also confer harmful health effects. Chronic sugar ingestion can lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular illness and neurodegenerative disorders. Although there is a wealth of knowledge about the negative human health effects of added dietary sugar, there is limited understanding about the effects on the bacteria enriched in the human digestive tract. This human microbiome is highly complex, diverse, and has been linked to disease and poor health.