High-fructose diets, gut bacteria, and blood sugar
The effects of a high fructose diet on the gut microbiome and metabolic health: A controlled clinical intervention study
This project compares short periods of high-fructose versus high-glucose diets in adults to see how the gut microbiome and blood sugar-related measures change.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11243472 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be randomly assigned to follow two different controlled diets for 12 days each (one with added fructose, one with added glucose), separated by a 10-day washout, while researchers collect stool and blood samples. The team will sequence your gut bacteria and measure fecal metabolites, inflammatory markers, body measurements, and insulin resistance. They will also transfer human-derived gut microbes into germ-free mice to see whether the microbes can cause metabolic changes. The goal is to link what happens in your gut to measurable changes in metabolic health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (age 21+) who can follow controlled diets, attend in-person visits at Mount Sinai, and provide stool and blood samples—especially those with overweight or risk factors for type 2 diabetes—are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children, people with advanced diabetes on complex medication regimens, or anyone unable to follow strict controlled diets or attend visits are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify how added sugars affect gut bacteria and diabetes risk and guide better dietary advice or microbiome-targeted treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior human and animal studies link high fructose intake to insulin resistance, but combining a controlled human feeding crossover with microbiome transfer to germ-free mice is a relatively novel approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walker, Ryan — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Walker, Ryan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.