Researchers analyzing plaque samples from more than 1,200 women found that higher sugar and refined carbohydrate intake was associated with reduced bacterial diversity and increases in cavity-related microbes.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A large observational study examining postmenopausal women has identified a significant association between dietary carbohydrate intake and the composition of bacteria beneath the gumline, highlighting a potential connection between everyday eating patterns and oral health.
The research, conducted by investigators at the University at Buffalo and published in April 2022 in Scientific Reports, analyzed dietary data and subgingival plaque samples from 1,204 participants enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative. The study focused on how total carbohydrate intake, glycemic load, fiber, and specific sugars such as sucrose and lactose corresponded with bacterial diversity and abundance in the oral microbiome.
Researchers found that women who consumed higher amounts of total carbohydrates, foods with elevated glycemic load, and disaccharides such as sucrose exhibited lower microbial diversity in plaque samples. In microbiome research, reduced diversity is frequently associated with less favorable health profiles.
The analysis also identified increases in specific bacterial species among participants with higher sugar consumption. Levels of Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium strongly linked to dental caries, were positively associated with sucrose intake and glycemic load. Elevated sugar intake was likewise associated with greater abundance of Leptotrichia, a genus of bacteria that has been implicated in gingival inflammation.
By contrast, more balanced dietary patterns were associated with more varied microbial communities beneath the gumline.
The researchers used subgingival plaque sampling rather than saliva testing, enabling closer examination of bacterial populations directly involved in periodontal processes. Genetic sequencing techniques were then applied to map bacterial composition and correlate those findings with detailed dietary questionnaires completed by participants.
Lead author Amy E. Millen, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology at the University at Buffalo, noted that the study examined a wide range of carbohydrate types and incorporated glycemic load—an indicator of how strongly foods affect blood sugar levels—into the analysis. Glycemic load has rarely been evaluated in oral microbiome research, providing additional context for how refined carbohydrates may influence bacterial ecosystems.
Postmenopausal women represent a population at elevated risk for periodontal disease, making the findings particularly relevant. Hormonal changes during menopause can affect bone density and gum tissue health, potentially increasing susceptibility to bacterial imbalance.
Beyond oral health, scientists have increasingly examined links between oral bacteria and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. While the current study does not establish causation, it strengthens evidence that dietary patterns may influence microbial communities in the mouth, which in turn may have broader health implications.
High-glycemic and sugar-rich diets have long been associated with metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes. The new findings suggest that similar dietary patterns may simultaneously shape oral bacterial environments in ways that favor disease-associated species.
The authors emphasize that additional longitudinal research is needed to determine whether changes in oral microbiota directly contribute to systemic health outcomes. However, the results reinforce established public health recommendations encouraging moderation of refined sugars and processed carbohydrates.
By demonstrating measurable links between carbohydrate intake and bacterial shifts in subgingival plaque, the study underscores the mouth’s role as a dynamic microbial ecosystem influenced by daily dietary choices.
Source: Natural News
Original article
Comments