High intake of orange juice and cola differently affects metabolic risk in healthy subjects while fecal microbiota remains unchanged

Laura-Verena Döbert, Alena Fricker, Elisabeth Dörner, Daniel Podlesny, Anja Bosy-Westphal, Florian W. FrickeInstitute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Institute of Biological Chemistry and Nutritional Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, University of Kiel, GermanyHigher consumption of sugar-containing beverages has been associated with an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes and gout. Whether this equally applies to cola with an unhealthy image and orange juice (OJ) having a healthy image remains unknown. In order to investigate whether OJ and cola differently affect metabolic risk 26 healthy adults participated in a 2x2-wk intervention and consumed either OJ or caffeine-free cola (20% Ereq as sugar from beverages) in-between 3 meals/d at ad libitum energy intake. Glycemic control, uric acid metabolism and gut microbiota were assessed as outcome parameters. Fecal microbiota, body weight, basal and OGTT-derived insulin sensitivity remained unchanged in both intervention periods. Levels of uric acid were normal at baseline and did not change with 2-wk cola consumption, whereas they decreased with OJ intervention due to increased uric acid excretion. Compared to OJ, consumption of cola led to a higher daylong glycemia, an increase in glucose variability, and a lower 24h-insulin, which may be explained by a decrease in serum potassium levels. Despite its sugar content, regular consumption of large amounts of OJ may protect against gout. Impaired insulin secretion with cola consumption may contribute to insulin deficiency, and thus be a risk factor for gestational and type 2 diabetes.