FOOD INTOLERANCE NETWORK
FACTSHEET
Sugar
and hyperactivity
·
Contrary to
popular opinion, sugar does not cause children’s hyperactivity – the evidence
Sugar does not cause
children’s hyperactivity – the evidence
1) The best ever study
A definitive multimillion dollar study of sugar and behaviour was
carried out in 1994 in
But here’s the important part: all of the diets were kept mostly
additive-free. They avoided artificial colours, artificial flavours,
preservatives and MSG as well as chocolate and coffee. Spreads and oils used in
the diets were free of synthetic antioxidants BHA (320) and BHT (321) and the
use of products treated with these antioxidants was kept to a minimum. Guess
what? The children improved on all the experimental diets. That’s right. The
children’s behaviour ratings and test scores generally improved during the trial
compared with their pre-diet base-line values. This finding wasn’t mentioned in
the press release at the time and the baseline figures weren’t included in the
article because the study was set up to look at the effects of sugar. But these
findings show that sugar isn’t the culprit – it’s the additives.
Further reading: Wolraich ML and others,
Effects of diets high in sucrose or aspartame on the behavior
and cognitive performance of children, N Engl J Med.
1994;330(5):301-7. FULL TEXT at http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/330/5/301.
2) A 2008 meta-analysis of
well designed studies
This paper reviews 109 studies and reviews regarding the impact of
sucrose on the behavior of children and concluded
that well designed studies produced no evidence that it has an adverse
influence.
Benton D, Sucrose and behavioral problems. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.
2008 ;48(5):385-401
ABSTRACT: Various mechanisms by which sucrose could influence behavior are reviewed. Firstly there is food intolerance.
There are dozens of foods to which an adverse reaction has been demonstrated,
although a reaction to sucrose is less frequent than
many other foods. A second possible mechanism is hypoglycemia.
There is evidence that a tendency to develop low blood glucose levels, but
higher than those that can be described clinically as hypoglycemic,
is associated with irritability and violence. However, sucrose is not the
predominant cause of swings in blood glucose levels. Thirdly, the role of
sucrose intake on micro-nutrient status has been considered as studies have
found that micro-nutrient supplementation decreased anti-social behavior. Micro-nutrient intake is more closely associated
with the total energy rather than sucrose intake; typically the amount of
sucrose in the diet does not lead to micro-nutrient deficiency. In fact
meta-analysis of well designed studies that have examined the impact of sucrose
on the behavior of children produced no evidence that
it has an adverse influence.
When children’s behaviour
appears to be affected by sugary products, they are generally reacting to other
ingredients such as additives or salicylates
1) Concerns about the effects
of artificial colours, flavours and salicylates on children’s behaviour and
learning ability were first reported in 1970s
Feingold BF, Hyperkinesis and learning disabilities linked to artificial
food flavors and colors, Am
J Nurs, 1975;75(5):797-803
full article at http://www.feingold.org/pg-research.html.
2) In 2005 a study at the
After combining the food colouring brilliant blue (133) with monosodium
glutamate (MSG 621) and the colouring quinoline yellow (104) with the
artificial sweetener aspartame (951) at levels similar to those consumed in a
typical children's snack and drink, researchers found the additive mixtures
stunted the growth of nerve cells in mice, interfering with proper signalling
functions. Lau K and
others, Synergistic Interactions between Commonly Used Food Additives in a
Developmental Neurotoxicity Test http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/90/1/178.
3) In December 2007 a
multimillion dollar landmark study funded by the
McCann D et al, Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old
and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded,
placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2007 Nov 3;370(9598):1560-7, full article at http://www.precaution.org/lib/food_additives_and_hyperactivity.070906.pdf.
Changes in children’s
behaviour are NOT all in the mind as claimed by a review in the Christmas 2008
edition of the British Medical Journal
The Festive Medical Myths article in the Christmas 2008 BMJ reviewed 12
studies on sugar and behaviour and concluded that regardless of what parents
may believe, sugar is not to blame for out of control children. So far so good. We agree. However this study has been widely
reported all over the world as saying that “when parents think their child has
had a sugary drink they rate their behaviour as more hyperactive - so it is all
in the mind.” (BBC) with dozens of
articles telling parents their children can eat Christmas lollies without fear
of behavioural change.
These scientists appear to have overlooked the other ingredients in
sugary foods and drinks – such as artificial colours, sodium benzoate (211),
artificial flavours and/or salicylates – all of which have been shown to cause
changes in children’s behaviour.
The researchers themselves were bemused by the finding. "I have
three kids... I was sure that sugar made kids hyperactive," said Carroll,
director of
References:
Sugar and
hyperactivity http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7789302.stm.
Vreeman
RC and Carroll AE, Festive medical myths, British Medical Journal 2008;337:a2769.
Where can I find more
information?
Fed Up by Sue Dengate, Random
House 2008, available from www.fedup.com.au
FOOD INTOLERANCE INTRODUCTION
FACTSHEET http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/factsheets/Factintroduction.htm
The
information given is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor
for underlying illness. Before beginning dietary investigation, consult a
dietician with an interest in food intolerance. You can find a supportive
dietitian through the Dietitians Association of
© Sue Dengate update December
2008
