The aim of the present work was to investigate in Caco‐2 cells whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, could block the inhibitory effect of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) on sugar transport, and identify the intracellular signaling pathways involved. After pre‐incubation of the Caco‐2 cells with TNF‐α and EPA for 1 hr, EPA prevented the inhibitory effect of the cytokine on α‐methyl‐d‐glucose (αMG) uptake (15 min) and on SGLT1 expression at the brush border membrane, measured by Western blot. The ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 and the AMPK activator AICAR also prevented the inhibitory effect of TNF‐α on both αMG uptake and SGLT1 expression. Interestingly, the AMPK inhibitor, Compound C, abolished the ability of EPA to prevent TNF‐α‐induced reduction of sugar uptake and transporter expression. The GPR120 antagonist, AH7614, also blocked the preventive effect of EPA on TNF‐α‐induced decrease of αMG uptake and AMPK phosphorylation. In summary, TNF‐α inhibits αMG uptake by decreasing SGLT1 expression in the brush border membrane through the activation of ERK1/2 pathway. EPA prevents the inhibitory effect of TNF‐α through the involvement of GPR120 and AMPK activation. TNF‐α decreases SGLT1 expression in the plasma membrane by activation of ERK and inhibition of AMPK pathways. EPA prevents TNF‐α decrease of sugar uptake by activating AMPK pathways. EPA blocks TNF‐α effect on sugar uptake through GPR120.