Published Feb 1, 2026 There is no dietary requirement for processed sugar  in any form. Sugar is not a food the body needs to function. In excess, it acts as a toxin, disrupting hormones, metabolism, immune function, and long-term health. The modern diet’s reliance on sugar and refined carbohydrates has contributed directly to today’s epidemic of chronic disease. The less sugar you consume over your lifetime, the healthier your body and brain are likely to be. How Sugar Affec