High-sugar foods during antibiotic treatment linked to greater loss of gut bacterial diversity

New Scientist reports that people who ate more high-sugar foods while taking antibiotics had a greater decline in gut bacterial diversity. All 158 participants had blood cancers and received antibiotics during hospitalization. In a separate mouse experiment, an antibiotic paired with a high-sucrose diet boosted Enterococcus bacteria. Researchers suggest limiting sugary foods might help protect the microbiome.