Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This destruction results in little or no insulin production, a hormone essential for allowing glucose (sugar) to enter cells to be used for energy. Without insulin, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels and preventing the body from using this energy source properly. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to manage their blood sugar levels and survive. It is often diagnosed in children and young adults but can occur at any age. The exact cause is not fully understood, involving genetic predisposition and environmental triggers, but it is not caused by sugar consumption itself.