Scientists Say Sugar Isn’t Making Kids Hyper but They Think They Know What Is

When our kids seem to be bouncing off the walls, parents have long believed that too much sugar could be the culprit. Many people have gone so far as to blame sugar for behavioral issues and things such as ADHD, formally known as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

But, scientists are now saying that sugar isn’t directly affecting our kids’ behavior; it’s something else entirely.
The New York Post published findings from a recent ScienceAlert study that suggest it’s not too much sugar that causes attention or behavior issues but that it may actually be how eating sugary treats impacts dopamine.

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Even though it’s probably not making kids hyper, too much sugar isn’t a good idea.

Most health professionals will tell you that everything in moderation — including sugar — is the way to go. Too much sugar isn’t suitable for kids or adults, and it's long been believed that excessive sugar intake leads to hyperactivity in children.

Parents often try to limit their children’s sugar intake to help curtail hyperactivity, but it turns out there may not be a correlation between the two after all.

One doctor created an extremely restrictive diet in the hopes of treating ADHD.

Devised by American pediatric allergist Benjamin Feingold, the Feingold Diet restricts both natural and artificial sweeteners, dyes, flavorings, and preservatives in the hopes of helping treat ADHD. Although Feingold’s diet doesn’t criticize sugar, parents often associate limiting sugar with his diet.

But ScienceAlert claims Feingold’s limited studies and small test groups cannot accurately determine whether an elimination diet is truly helpful. It further examined what it believes to be the true culprit.

ScienceAlert reported that even though it’s hard to link sugar intake with hyperactivity, researchers believe there is a proven link between dopamine release and increased activity in children. If kids consume an unexpected, sweet treat, they get excited, and that excitement causes a dopamine release and subsequently increased activity.

Some believe that people with ADHD have diminished dopamine receptors and often take medications like Ritalin or Concerta to increase dopamine, which helps them concentrate, ScienceAlert reports.

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Sugar may temporarily boost kids, but it won’t make them bounce off the walls.

ScienceAlert concludes that it’s not a great idea to give sugary treats as rewards and that nonsweet treats can have the same positive and highly valued effect on kids. Although sugar tastes good and the dopamine released may give kids a quick natural high, it will not make them hyperactive.

Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should limit children’s sugar intake and “Aim for less than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day for children 2 years of age and older. Avoid serving food and drinks with added sugar to children under 2 years of age.”