Do children become hyperactive because of sugar?

The belief that sugar causes hyperactivity in children has been around for decades and affects parents ' decisions on child - feeding. As a neuroscientist and neuroscientist, I can confirm that although too much sugar is of no use to the brain, scientific evidence does not indicate that sugar causes hyperactivity”, writes Amy Rachel.

“Studies have shown that children who consume more processed foods have smaller volumes of the brain in critical areas like frontal cortex compared with children with healthier diets. Despite this, the myth that sugar causes hyperactivity is still popular, which dates back to the years é70 and 80<18x1> of the last century, explains Reichel from Sydney University for the website “The Conversation”, transmits Zimo, sends out Telegrafi.

Myth's Origin of Sugar and hyperactivity

Myth was born from Feingold diet studies, which was developed by pediatric alerogologist Benjamin Feingold to treat what is now known as the hyperactivity disorder of the attention deficit (ADHD).

This diet eliminates artificial colors, sweeties, conservatives, and sausages found in many healthful foods. “Fedingold stated that avoiding these substances improves the focus and behavior of hyperactive children, although his studies were methodologically flawed and did not have adequate control groups”, the Australian expert points out.

Modern scientific requests have exposed the relationship between sugar and hyperactivity. Rygorosis studies, including tests controlled by placebo, repeatedly show that sugar has no significant effect on child behavior or attention”, Reichel points out.

An important met-analysis of 20 years ago found no hyperactivity growth due to sugar consumption. Later research supports these findings, even among children with ADHD.

A small percentage of children may have an allergic reaction to artificial authorities, and younger children may be more sensitive to these substances because of their size and development. However, Rachel adds, the relationship between sugar and hyperactivity is poor at best.

The role of dopamine as a possible explanation

A possible explanation for observed hyperactivity is the role of dopamine, a neurotransmitter related to reward and growth in activity. When children wait for candy, their brain releases dopamines, similar to the effect of psychostimulants, but to a much smaller extent. Such dopamine growth can empathize with children, Rychelt explains, but it is not the same as sugar - induced hyperactivity.

Treatment for ADHD often involves psychostimulants who raise dopamine levels to improve the focus and control of behavior. In children with ADHD, these drugs recaliber brain function instead of causing hyperactivity.

Why the myth?

The myth of hyperactivity caused by sugar continues partly because of the parents ' social beliefs and expectations, notes Reichel.

In a study where parents were told that their children were consuming sweet drinks with sugar or a placebo, those who believed that their child was consuming sugar experienced hyperactivity, even when the drink was free of sugar. This shows the power of expectations in the shape of perceptions”, Reichel writes. /Telegraphy/