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Fact: Sugar Does Not Make Kids Hyper
Sugar and hyper kids, they go together, right? Well, yes and no. There's actually been a lot of researchers looking at this connection, and studies consistently show that there really is no correlation. How can that be, though? We, as parents, have all experienced our children having a sugar high.
According to Psychology Today, several studies have found that sugar did not significantly impact behavior, cognitive functioning, or school performance. These studies were done by analyzing children's behavior after eating sugar or a placebo, which is a pretend substance that has no therapeutic effect, but the family thinks it's the actual substance being studied, such as sugar.
Why Parents Often See a "Sugar High" Even Without Sugar
What's the deal? One theory researchers have is parental expectation. If kids are given a placebo and parents are told that it is a high dose of sugar, parents reported that their children were significantly more hyperactive. Then, there's social reinforcement, such as a parent saying that a kid is on a sugar high when they are hyper, and other parents are being like, "Oh, yeah, we can tell."
Fact: Sugar May Temporarily Boost Memory and Focus
Believe it or not, some studies are even finding behavioral and academic improvements immediately after eating sugar. Kids have better memory and classroom behavior. Researchers think that it might be because kids' brains need more glucose to function, as that sugar is the main source of energy for the brain.
Does this mean we should let our kids have all the sugar they want? Well, of course not. Sugar is a major factor in childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, cavity formation, and a lot of bad health outcomes. It's okay to let kids have a little sugar here and there. Not make it this big bad taboo food item, though, so kids want to sneak it whenever they can or binge it, for example, Halloween.
Fact: Not All Sugars Affect Kids the Same Way
I think it's more important to focus on the type of sugar. Yes, there are different kinds of sugar. Sugar from fruits is better than sugar from candy and soda. I think we can all agree on that. High fiber foods also have carbohydrates that can be broken down differently by the body, so there isn't that sugar high people think about, but those sugars still give the brain and body healthy glucose.
So the bottom line is that sugar in moderation is not a bad thing, and usually, there is a different reason for the kids to be hyper.
More Answers to Your Questions on Keeping Your Kid Healthy and Happy
Latest trends and issues in children's health on the Healthy Kids Zone with Dr. Cindy Gellner
