MYTHS & FACTS
Myths & FactsDoes Sugar Make Kids Hyper?
The myth that just won't go away
It's one of the most firmly held parenting beliefs: give kids sugar and they'll bounce off the walls. But controlled studies tell a different story. When parents don't know whether their child consumed sugar or a placebo, they don't report any difference in behavior.
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The effect appears to be driven by expectation rather than biology. In one well-known study, parents who were told their child had sugar rated the child as more hyperactive. Even when the child had actually received a sugar-free drink. Context matters too: sugary treats often show up at exciting events like birthday parties, which are hyper enough on their own.
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Sugar Makes Kids Hyper