Effects of sugar on hyperactivity levels in children

Section 1

Many people believe that sugar makes children hyperactive and hence a need to avoid some

kinds of foods even though others are convinced that there is no relationship between sugary

foods and children's hyperactivity. Both the two notions might end up not being correct because

there are sharp contradictions in their arguments. My principal aim is to investigate whether there

is legitimate evidence that sugar is responsible for hyperactivity. Many parents swear that even a

single hit of the birthday cake has the power to morph the youngsters into a more sticky hot mess

careening around the room while giving out the eardrum-piercing shrieks. This particular

hypothesis can be well understood and perceived more reasonable by those individuals who have

ever taken part in such activities, but science, on the other hand, brings out many reasons to

contradict the myth.

Several psychological explanations are substantiating the persistence of perceived sugar-

hyperactivity relation. This particular explanation might be based on the case that a smaller

fraction of children shows the response to sugar involving hyperactivity. This particular notion,

however, has been critiqued by the scientific literature which does not present any evidence to

justify the fact that sugar is responsible for this kind of disordered behavior in the healthy as well

as hyperactive children. The question that ought to be answered in this particular discussion is

what might have caused the mistaken notion to persevere and remain widespread? One of the

reason can be attributed to the fact that sugar is a high energy food. As a result of this, one might

tend to assume that the high intake of sugar naturally raises the chances of to use up calories that
it provides and thus to give rise to an increase in behavioral activity.

This particular investigation into the relationship between sugar intake and hyperactivity in

children involve different variables. The teachers, parents, and others may take part in observing

the children the level of activity of children especially during the situations where sugar is

consumed. These particular change in behavior, however, are misattributed to sugar rather than

being linked to the inherent traits of the situation itself like lack of the structure. Also, individuals

who expect ingestion of sugar to be accompanied by disordered behavior might take a particular

note of as well as recalling only those occurrences within which these two events occurred in

succession. The observers need to ignore those events in which sugar intake preceded the

hyperactivity behavior. Out of this particular observation, the illusory correlation is experienced.

This particular theory to some extent presents the importance of understanding the activities that

might be associated with hyperactivity after ingestion of sugar. Sugar intake triggers the attention

deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms following three mechanisms. The hyperactive symptom

tends to result from hyperglycemia that immediately follows the sucrose ingestion. The

symptoms also develop as a consequence of the reactive hypoglycemia that tends to develop

several hours after its ingestion. Lastly, the allergic responsiveness to the sugar is also likely to

the underlying cause of the childhood hyperactivity. The theory, therefore, can form the basis for

offering explanations to this particular condition to children as well as the possible relationship it

might have with the sugar intake.

Section 2
Why the theory is wrong

A larger number of people continues to condemn sugar for being the source of hyperactivity in

children. Scientific research however clearly points out the lack of relationship between sugar

and hyperactivity, and this, therefore, suggests that this particular information ought not to be

communicated to parents of the future generations. The reason why the assumption is deemed

erroneous is that there is no sufficient evidence revealing that sugar contributes to the elevated

activity among normal as well as children who have ADHD. Also, it is unnecessary and

inappropriate to partake the sugar-free diet hoping that this particular behavior will ameliorate

the disordered behavior among children.

The causes of ADHD remains unclear and therefore linking the cause with sugar intakes

needs to be demystified. Most researchers link reasons of this particular disorder to many factors

although the specific cause of hyperactivity remains unknown. Currently, the most likely cause

of the hyperactivity is believed to be through inheritance although other causes are also linked to

the disorder. Apart from the genetic origins, other medical and biological factors have resulted in

the symptoms of hyperactivity. The myths relating this particular disorder to causes such as food,

(sugar intake), diet, inappropriate parenting, hormones, and even excessive watching of the

television or video-game playing are just misconceptions that are not scientifically proved.

The factors mentioned above appear to result in the hyperactivity disorder because they are

deemed related. Most parents ascertain that after feeding their children with sugary foods, they

developed hyperactivity. Also, certain diets are assumed to eliminate the condition of

hyperactivity through reduction of sugar intake. It is reasonable to link hyperactivity in children

with some form of the hormonal imbalance. Studies, however, are unable to give satisfactory
evidence regarding these associations. Contrary to the parental ideas, reducing intake of sugar

did not have a significant impact on the level of hyperactivity in children.