Effects of Sugar Consumption on ADHD Symptoms
Parents and doctors have debated the effect of sugar on children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. While parents claim that sugar has a negative impact on their hyperactive children, studies done by doctors have refuted that.
Even though children with ADHD have different brain chemistry, sugar does not interfere with their brain function. However, the overall recommendation is to limit the amount of sugar that the child consumes, both as a precaution and for dietary reasons.
Learning and Memory
In 1985, Dr. Mark Wolraich did a study on the effects of sugar intake on learning and memory. Parents of ADHD children worried that too much sugar not only affected their children's behavior, but interfered in their ability to perform in school. In Wolraich's study, sixteen hyperactive children were observed for three days in a hospital setting. During those days, the children's sugar levels were controlled; the results showed that sugar intake had no effect on an ADHD child's learning and memory. However, Dr. Anthony Kane, author of the article “The Role of Sugar in ADHD” notes that the small sample size and the short testing period leaves room for error in the study.
Parents' Perception
Many parents believe that their ADHD children becomes more hyperactive when they ingest sugar. In 1994, Dr. Richard Milich examined 31 hyperactive children whose parents believed were behaviorally sensitive to sugar. All of the children were given sugar-free drinks; however, half of their parents were told that the drinks contained sugar. The parents who thought their children had sugar stated that they were more hyperactive. Dr. Milich concluded that parental expectations and their subsequent behavior was their preconception that sugar resulted in hyperactivity.
Sugar Metabolism
However, although studies on sugar and ADHD have shown that there is not an effect on learning and memory or hyperactivity, another study questioned if ADHD children processed sugar differently.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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Hi My name is Adam Heyne and i am 15 and i am a kid with ADHD. If I have sugar I will be bouncing of the walls. :)
December 1, 2010 - 3:35pmThis Comment