Does sugar make kids hyper? Scientists tricked the parents
- Claim
- SUGAR MAKES KIDS HYPER?
- Catch
- STILL LIMIT IT
- Verdict
- IT'S THE PARTY, NOT THE CAKE
In a 1994 study, 35 boys aged 5 to 7, whose mothers said they were sugar-sensitive, all drank a sugar-free placebo (aspartame). Mothers who were told their son had a big dose of sugar rated him as significantly more hyperactive, and were seen staying physically closer and tending to criticize him more. A 1995 meta-analysis of 23 blinded trials in JAMA concluded that sugar does not affect children's behavior or cognitive performance, though a small effect, or a few sensitive children, could not be ruled out. The catch: sugar still matters for teeth and long-term health. The American Heart Association recommends under 25 g (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar a day for ages 2 to 18, and none for children under 2.
SOURCES
- Hoover & Milich (1994), "Effects of sugar ingestion expectancies on mother-child interactions," Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Wolraich, Wilson & White (1995), "The effect of sugar on behavior or cognition in children: a meta-analysis," JAMA
- Vos et al. (2016), "Added sugars and cardiovascular disease risk in children," Circulation (American Heart Association scientific statement)
For information only, not medical advice. If you're worried about your child's behavior or attention, talk to your pediatrician.
