How can excessive sugar intake affect health?

Excessive sugar intake can significantly affect health by contributing to a range of serious health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dental cavities. High sugar consumption often leads to an increase in caloric intake without providing nutritional benefits, which can result in weight gain and obesity. Obesity is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, as it can cause insulin resistance. Additionally, frequent consumption of sugary foods and beverages can contribute to the formation of dental cavities by providing a food source for harmful bacteria in the mouth, which produce acids that erode tooth enamel.

In contrast to this, the other options suggest benefits or a lack of impact from sugar. Improved energy levels are often short-lived and can result in a crash after the initial boost. The notion that sugar has no significant health impact overlooks the wealth of research linking high sugar intake to various chronic health conditions. Moreover, the claim that sugar improves mood and cognitive function is misleading, as any positive feelings associated with sugar consumption are typically temporary and followed by negative effects, such as mood swings and energy crashes.