Welcome to this week’s Health newsletter. We discover what happens to your body if you stop eating meat; see how sugar as a kid affects you as an adult ... and get the straight dope on dopamine. Plus, there may be a perfect time to boil an egg—but do you agree?

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREA FRAZZETTA, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION 

Going meat-free for just a few weeks can trigger surprising changes, from gut bacteria shifts to lower cholesterol. But the key to reaping the benefits isn’t just what you cut out—it’s what you add in.

Related: 

- You don’t need more eggs—or even meat—for a great high-protein diet 
- The surprising power of a dense bean salad  

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JESSICA PETTWAY 

Kids today consume far more sugar than recommended, but the effects don’t stop in childhood. New research reveals surprising ways that early sugar exposure shapes long-term health. What ways?

Related: 

- What scientists are learning about preventing allergies
- Brain food is real—for kids, and for adults, too

Today’s Soundtrack: The Waiting, Tom Petty

Today’s newsletter was edited and curated by David Beard and produced by Amanda Bryant-Williams. Thanks for reading! Have a suggestion? Let us know.