The widely believed notion that sugar makes children hyperactive is actually a myth, according to experts. Instead, the expectation that parents have of their kids being hyperactive after consuming sugar is what leads to their erratic behavior. This revelation challenges the long-held belief that giving children candy in the evening will result in them bouncing off the walls with energy.
Prince Louis, the youngest child of Prince William and line to the British throne, became the center of attention during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. His silly facial expressions caught on camera led some to attribute his behavior to a sugar high from consuming candy.
However, experts argue that while the link between candy and behavior does exist, it is not because sugar directly causes bad behavior in children. Instead, there is growing evidence that the expectation and perception of parents play a significant role. Studies from the 1990s have shown that mothers who believed their children had consumed sugar were more likely to rate them as hyperactive, even if they had actually been given artificial sweeteners.
The quick conversion of sugar into glucose in the body provides energy, but this energy spike returns to normal levels relatively quickly and does not lead to hyperactivity in children. In fact, some studies have suggested that sugar can actually make people more focused, less aggressive, and more in control.
Dr. Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz, an epidemiologist at the University of Wollongong, advises taking these findings with a pinch of salt due to the weak evidence supporting them. However, he highlights that the social expectation and confirmation bias that sugar causes hyperactivity often perpetuate the myth. This cycle of belief does not align with scientific studies.
Children themselves contribute to the myth by acknowledging the power of their brains when they consume candy. Dr. Sabiha Kanchwala, a general pediatrics specialist, emphasizes that even children are aware of the perceived effects of sugar on their behavior.
Overall, the idea that sugar makes children hyperactive is debunked by experts who argue that the myth stems from parental expectations and societal beliefs rather than any actual physiological effects of sugar.