Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

Gut Microbiome May Reveal Diabetes Risk Before Blood Sugar Changes: Study

The early signs of <span>type 2 <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">diabetes</a></span> could be related to your gut. They may signal a warning risk long before you take a blood sugar test. 

New research suggests that changes in the trillions of bacteria living in the gut may accurately predict future <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">diabetes</a></span> risk. 

An analysis of microbiome data from more than 229,000 adults in the UK and US identified hundreds of bacterial changes linked with type 2 diabetes, including changes that appeared before measurable abnormalities in blood glucose. 

The findings are being presented at the annual meeting of the <span>European Association for the Study of Diabetes</span> (EASD) in Milan. 

Researchers from the University of Trento in Italy and collaborators in the UK analysed metagenomic data, which involves examining the DNA of microorganisms living in the gut. 

The study included 229,025 people, of whom 3,627 had <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/from-365-shots-to-52-how-could-lillys-newly-approved-weekly-insulin-injection-change-diabetes-care-article-156238125" data-type="tilCustomLink">type 2 diabetes</a>, 14,022 had prediabetes and 211,376 had normal blood glucose levels. The average age was 50, and about 74% of participants were women. 

After accounting for factors including age, sex and body mass index, researchers identified 789 bacterial species associated with type 2 diabetes. 

Of these, 168 were found at higher levels in people with diabetes, while 621 were present at lower levels. 

One example was Enterocloster bolteae, which was more abundant in people with type 2 diabetes. In contrast, Romboutsia timonensis was found at lower levels. 

Interestingly, 587 of the 789 bacterial species were also associated with unmedicated prediabetes, suggesting that some of these microbial changes may occur before diabetes is diagnosed.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/diabetes-linked-to-55-risk-of-kidney-disease-heart-failure-or-death-within-10-years-study-article-156240456" data-type="tilCustomLink">Diabetes Linked To 55% Risk Of Kidney Disease, Heart Failure Or Death Within 10 Years: Study</a>

<h2>Link Between Gut &amp; Blood Sugar</h2>

The researchers looked at 135,093 people who had normal blood glucose and did not have <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/elderly-diabetic-with-rock-hard-arteries-undergoes-advanced-calcium-breaking-heart-procedure-avoids-high-risk-surgery-article-156213539" data-type="tilCustomLink">diabetes or prediabetes</a>. They also had information about how their blood sugar responded after eating. 

Normally, blood glucose rises after a meal and then falls. If it remains elevated for longer than expected, it can indicate that the body's muscles are not responding properly to insulin, an early feature of insulin resistance. 

Researchers found that people whose blood sugar remained elevated for longer were more likely to have the gut bacterial pattern linked with type 2 diabetes. The microbiome changes became more pronounced as insulin resistance increased. 

Therefore, it was observed that the <span>gut microbiome</span> carried clues about metabolic problems even when standard blood glucose levels were still normal.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/muscle-loss-in-middle-age-may-signal-dementia-risk-study-finds-article-156239361" data-type="tilCustomLink">Muscle Loss In Middle Age May Signal Dementia Risk, Study Finds</a> 

Heart Attack at 28? Heart Screening, Chest Pain & ECG Explained | Healthy & Hearty Picks

Currently, diabetes and prediabetes are diagnosed using tests like HbA1c, fasting <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/cagrisema-beats-lillys-mounjaro-zepbound-in-new-trial-all-about-novos-next-gen-obesity-drug-article-156201817" data-type="tilCustomLink">blood glucose</a> and oral glucose tolerance tests. 

For people who have normal results, doctors generally assess future diabetes risk using factors like age, sex, body mass index and family history. A gut microbiome test is not currently part of routine diabetes screening. 

The researchers believe microbiome analysis could eventually provide an additional layer of risk assessment, identifying people who could benefit from earlier lifestyle interventions. 

Professor Tim Spector, one of the study's authors, Scientific Co-Founder, ZOE, said, “These latest findings represent a major step forward in understanding how our gut microbiome is linked directly with metabolic disease. Identifying these clear microbial changes before blood sugar levels worsen could lead to earlier intervention with food and lifestyle choices, as well as treatment options, to prevent T2D." 

The researchers say that microbiome analysis should not replace existing tests for diabetes or prediabetes. The current findings show associations between particular bacterial patterns and diabetes risk. 

The researchers also found that some of the bacteria making up the diabetes-related signature have never been isolated or cultivated in a laboratory and are new in terms of scientific investigation. 

Additional research will be needed to assess whether these microbial changes can reliably predict who will develop diabetes and whether changing the microbiome can actually reduce that risk.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

gut-microbiome-may-reveal-diabetes-risk-before-blood-sugar-changes-study

Diabetes

european association for the study of diabetes

Gut Microbiome

type 2 diabetes

type 2 diabetes gut

new-nhs-genetic-test-can-identify-brain-tumour-type-in-2-hours-during-surgery

New NHS Genetic Test Can Identify Brain Tumour Type In 2 Hours During Surgery

world-rabies-day-2026-from-goats-to-beavers-to-cape-fur-seals-why-unusual-rabies-cases-are-raising-questions

World Rabies Day 2026: From Goats To Beavers To Cape Fur Seals, Why Unusual Rabies Cases Are Raising Questions

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

The early signs of type 2 diabetes could be related to your gut. They may signal a warning risk long before you take a blood sugar test. New research suggests that changes in the trillions of bacteria living in the gut may accurately predict future diabetes risk. An analysis of microbiome data from more than 229,000 adults in the UK and US identified hundreds of bacterial changes linked with type 2 diabetes, including changes that appeared before measurable abnormalities in blood glucose. The findings are being presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan. What Did Researchers Find? Researchers from the University of Trento in Italy and collaborators in the UK analysed metagenomic data, which involves examining the DNA of microorganisms living in the gut. The study included 229,025 people, of whom 3,627 had type 2 diabetes, 14,022 had prediabetes and 211,376 had normal blood glucose levels. The average age was 50, and about 74% of participants were women. After accounting for factors including age, sex and body mass index, researchers identified 789 bacterial species associated with type 2 diabetes. Of these, 168 were found at higher levels in people with diabetes, while 621 were present at lower levels. One example was Enterocloster bolteae, which was more abundant in people with type 2 diabetes. In contrast, Romboutsia timonensis was found at lower levels. Interestingly, 587 of the 789 bacterial species were also associated with unmedicated prediabetes, suggesting that some of these microbial changes may occur before diabetes is diagnosed.Also read: Diabetes Linked To 55% Risk Of Kidney Disease, Heart Failure Or Death Within 10 Years: StudyLink Between Gut & Blood SugarThe researchers looked at 135,093 people who had normal blood glucose and did not have diabetes or prediabetes. They also had information about how their blood sugar responded after eating. Normally, blood glucose rises after a meal and then falls. If it remains elevated for longer than expected, it can indicate that the body's muscles are not responding properly to insulin, an early feature of insulin resistance. Researchers found that people whose blood sugar remained elevated for longer were more likely to have the gut bacterial pattern linked with type 2 diabetes. The microbiome changes became more pronounced as insulin resistance increased. Therefore, it was observed that the gut microbiome carried clues about metabolic problems even when standard blood glucose levels were still normal.Also read: Muscle Loss In Middle Age May Signal Dementia Risk, Study Finds Future Of Diabetes Testing                   Currently, diabetes and prediabetes are diagnosed using tests like HbA1c, fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance tests. For people who have normal results, doctors generally assess future diabetes risk using factors like age, sex, body mass index and family history. A gut microbiome test is not currently part of routine diabetes screening. The researchers believe microbiome analysis could eventually provide an additional layer of risk assessment, identifying people who could benefit from earlier lifestyle interventions. Professor Tim Spector, one of the study's authors, Scientific Co-Founder, ZOE, said, “These latest findings represent a major step forward in understanding how our gut microbiome is linked directly with metabolic disease. Identifying these clear microbial changes before blood sugar levels worsen could lead to earlier intervention with food and lifestyle choices, as well as treatment options, to prevent T2D." The researchers say that microbiome analysis should not replace existing tests for diabetes or prediabetes. The current findings show associations between particular bacterial patterns and diabetes risk. The researchers also found that some of the bacteria making up the diabetes-related signature have never been isolated or cultivated in a laboratory and are new in terms of scientific investigation. Additional research will be needed to assess whether these microbial changes can reliably predict who will develop diabetes and whether changing the microbiome can actually reduce that risk.

gut microbiome may reveal diabetes risk before blood sugar changes: study

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

Gut Microbiome May Reveal Diabetes Risk Before Blood Sugar Changes: Study

Diabetes Linked To 55% Risk Of Kidney Disease, Heart Failure Or Death Within 10 Years: Study

Could This Popular Joint Supplement Turn Mild Cognitive Impairment Into Dementia? New Study Finds Link

White House Chief Of Staff Susie Wiles Reveals Brutal Toll Of Fighting Cancer

Health Conditions A-Z

New NHS Genetic Test Can Identify Brain Tumour Type In 2 Hours During Surgery

Gut Microbiome May Reveal Diabetes Risk Before Blood Sugar Changes: Study

World Rabies Day 2026: From Goats To Beavers To Cape Fur Seals, Why Unusual Rabies Cases Are Raising Questions