No such thing as a "sugar rush"

[KickHimInTheCrotch]

My DS (10) just told me that a number of his friends claim to be having a "sugar rush" after eating sweets/chocolate etc and run about being "hyper". I've never believed in the concept of a sugar rush and so have never suggested to my DC that it would have this effect on them. I know other parents that strongly believe in it and attribute certain behaviour in younger children is due to sugar and limit their DCs sugar intake for this reason. Presumably the DC are then behaving in the expected way by being "hyper".

I've just had a quick Google and can see that there are plenty of articles that support my POV although not necessarily conclusive on scientific grounds.

Obviously I limit my DCs sugar intake for health reasons including obesity and dental health but behaviour just isn't a factor for me.

AIBU to tell my DC that there's no such thing as a sugar rush. Do you have experience of sugar conclusively affecting behaviour in children?

….Nah.

I've heard of these studies, that apparently prove that sugar rush "isn't a thing". How well designed are the studies though? There are lots of studies which "prove" things, when a later and better study, shows the opposite. Obviously not to say they should be totally ignored, but most studies aren't 100% infallible. Children may well be extra excitable at a party, regardless of sugar intake. But that isn't to say that they aren't also made excitable by sugar.

There are many examples of blood sugar altering mood. For example when some people get low or irritable when dieting or just hungry. Supposedly jury's are more sympathetic after lunch. Seems odd and contradictory to me that a high blood sugar level (which can be measured), is not said to categorically never have an effect on mood. That certainly hasn't been my experience.

Surely not - if a parent thinks sugar is effecting their child, they should stop the child eating a load of sweet things?

Yah.

The “sugar rush” myth originated from ideas linking diet additives and behavior and from contextual factors, such as sugary treats often being consumed at exciting social events that naturally energise children.

A 1995 meta-analysis of 23 studies concluded that sugar does not affect children’s behavior or cognition. The researchers found no statistically significant differences between sugar and placebo groups in behavior or academic tests, suggesting parental expectations or environmental factors explain observed hyperactivity.

Basically, parents’ belief that sugar causes hyperactivity influences their perception and reporting of children’s behaviour rather than actual changes in behaviour.

In other news: sugar does make you fat.

Not sugar, but e numbers. They replaced them with sugar concentrates in the new version.

It's a way to excuse bad behaviour when visiting people.....well all those sweeties guess your partly to blame coz "sugar rush" scientifically it's 🐮💩.

My dd use to be wappy after smarties or rainbow puffs but I’d say that was the colourings (obviously once we realised we stopped giving them to her) she was later diagnosed with adhd. Her dad was diagnosed with adhd in the early 80’s and was put on a ‘white food’ diet by the GP. According to his mam he had a very basic diet with no sweets/chocolate/pop etc and it helped his hyperactivity immensely.

Its a debate, an exchange of views. I've never personally experienced in my kids or friends kids anything that looks like an actual chemical reaction whereby behaviour is impacted by eating sugar. I am no scientist but Google suggested that there was perhaps some evidence to back up my theory. I asked "am I being unreasonable" to dismiss the idea of a sugar rush, to chalk it up to a myth and to consider that there is an element of self-fullfilling prophecy in that the DC who get sugar rushes do so because they told they do. Or is there some actual scientific evidence of sugar impacting on behaviour.

I appreciate hearing about your experiences. I don't appreciate being called names because I don't happen to have had the same life experiences as you.

It was tartrazine

I don’t believe it’s sugar…. However as some packets and cans warn certain additives can have an effect on SOME susceptible children’s behaviour. So skittles as an example have multiple colours known to effect behaviour and I can certainly notice this in my children. I don’t think the additives affect everyone the same though. Mine won’t react the same to other sugary treats like chocolate. Irn bru which is bright orange sends one of mine loopy and the other fine. So I think it’s way more nuanced than sugar rush exists or doesn’t. It depends on the specific treats and children consuming.

I believe this was the colour additives used as opposed to the sugar per se

What we eat absolutely has a chemical effect on the body, and therefore our brain function. And just because some colourings have been banned in some countries, it doesn't mean that all the chemical additives that are currently on sale in this country are not capable of having adverse effects, albeit possibly at a lower level than say Tartrazine.

You're not making it up if you feel that what your children eat has a direct effect on how they feel.

I would reply properly but im 55 looking after a 7year old.
Just because you have not experienced it doesn't not mean its not true.
There is no placebo effect when the child is alone and deliberately not hyped up.
The early reports are skewed and bias to promote sugar.
Coffee doesn't make me hyper, I can sleep on it. Sugar gives me joy and energy, a happy buzz if you like.
We all react differently to different experiences, food etc.
But to dismiss others experiences and put it down to sharing a belief in my oppinion is being extremely smug and dismissive a bit like saying Adhd, autism is new because only 20years ago people were not diagnosed.

I think it’s a load of rubbish.

Wear a continuous glucose monitor for a while and you will see there is a rise in glucose after eating certain meals and snacks like candy and chocolate. So yes, there actually is a sugar rush, so to speak.

I have chronic fatigue and eat a lot of sugar to a boost of energy. If I eat too many too quickly my heart can race and my face goes a bit fuzzy. But it definitely gives me a boost. That can be a variety of sugars.

My oldest suffered from reactions to certain additives which turned him into a little toe rage... I wad convinced he had some sort of neurological disorder. Turns out he couldn't tolerate cheap fromage frais (petit filous was fine, tesco value wasnt) milkybar, white bread and various other child friendly products... he grew out of it but at his worst before I realised the triggers he actually broke the back of his high chair while strapped in by rocking back and forward so hard in stress.

This is exactly what I think too. So many people make these comments about kids being hyped up from all of the sugar but if its in a birthday party setting, soft play or whatever, kids are primed to be hyped up and just egg esch other on.

I think excess sugar can have an effect, but not the small quantities most people have in mind here. My children have chocolate in small quantities at home, no difference in behaviour. If its a play date/party, a very different matter altogether. Ironically though, most of the items people emphasise the sugar content on are actually just full of crud that slows you down.

With respect, it seems like there are two different camps of thought here.
Those that dont believe it and quote parties, being 'hyped up' and placebo effect, (oh and those that think we just have badly behaved children !)
Versus others that have experiences of sugar effecting our children - whilst the other camp deny our experience.

The absence of evidence is not evidence of its absence

Have a look at this OP;

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30951762/

Clearly, YANBU.

Sugar is the last thing a person with chronic fatigue should be eating a lot of.
Read more about that here;

activeability.com.au/dietetics/chronic-fatigue-diet/

There was a doctor on tv a while ago who confirmed that there is no such thing as a sugar rush.