Sugary Beverages Linked to disruption in salivary microbiome: Study

A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports reported the potentially pathogenic changes in oral microbiota following the consumption of sugar-rich drinks.

The oral microbiome consists of over 700 species of bacteria, along with various other microorganisms. Disruption of this microbiome is linked to oral diseases and may also contribute to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.

Saliva is commonly used to study the oral microbiome because it is easily accessible and stable, reflecting changes due to other microbiomes or external factors. Researchers in the current study aimed to determine the impact of sugary drinks, such as soft drinks and fruit juices, on salivary microbiota. The high acidity and sugar content of these drinks can lead to tooth decay and support bacteria that thrive in acidic environments, which in turn can produce more acid from carbohydrates.

In the study, oral wash samples were collected from 989 participants who were healthy at baseline. Each participant provided saliva samples and completed a food frequency questionnaire to assess their dietary intake over the past year. The sugary drinks evaluated included orange or grapefruit juice, 100% fruit juices or mixtures, and other sugary beverages like lemonade and soft drinks.

In a separate cohort, participants reported their consumption of soda, other caffeinated beverages, lemonade, punch, iced tea, and various fruit juices. In both groups, fructose and sucrose from these drinks served as sources of fermentable sugar in their diets.

The results showed that the highest consumption of sugary beverages among participants was 336 and 398 grams per day, equivalent to more than one can of juice or soda daily. Males, smokers, non-diabetics, and those with higher calorie intake were more likely to consume these high amounts of sugary drinks.

Higher consumption of sugary beverages was linked to lower α-diversity richness of salivary microbial species. Additionally, a greater intake of sugar-rich drinks was associated with an increased relative abundance of microorganisms such as Bifidobacteriaceae.

The findings suggested that increased sugary drink consumption is linked to reduced bacterial richness and altered oral microbiome composition, with a higher abundance of acid-producing bacteria and fewer commensals.

The reduced richness may decrease the microbiome's stability and resilience, predisposing individuals to diseases. This could result from the harmful effects of high-sugar and high-acid drinks or impaired oral health.

Reference: Fan, X., Monson, K. R., Peters, B. A., et al. (2024). Altered salivary microbiota associated with high-sugar beverage consumption. Scientific Reports. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-64324-w.