Hyperactivity in Children: The Impact of Food on Behavior

Probably every parent has noticed that pre-sleep sweets dispel the urge to go to bed. The explanation is simple. Sugar is a powerful stimulant and fuel for the body. That is why he will try to consume the energy received.

But does the child's body need sugar as a source of energy?

The attraction for sweets is formed from the mother's womb because the amniotic fluid that the fetus swallows is sweet. After birth, the baby eats sweet milk. Later, sweet fruits - bananas and apples are added as extra food. Every year, the attraction for sweets takes root. Especially if adults do not control how much sugar the child consumes daily.

Children need glucose because it provides energy to every cell in the body. It is found in all fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products - these products being consumed are enough for the body to get the required amount of glucose. You should not consume extra refined sugar, it is harmful.

WHO age-based recommendations for the daily refined sugar standard:

• 0–2 years is not recommended

• 2–3 years at most 15 g

• 4–6 years 19 g

• 7–10 years 24 g

• 10–18 years (and adults) 30 g

The recommendation refers not only to the pure sugar we add in tea or porridge but also to any sugar present in all sweets on sale, in pastries, in jams, in most semi-finished products, in sauces, drinks, etc.

Refined sugar is a stimulant for the nervous system as are drugs and caffeine. Following the increase in blood sugar, the child feels a supply of energy and excitement, associated with the inclusion of the sympathetic nervous system.

If the child does not move enough, then the energy obtained does not dissipate for a long time. Because of this, he has a feeling of inner tension, which he will try to get rid of at best with the help of active games, at worst with crying, tears, or even hysteria.

In addition, sugar breaks down B vitamins, which are necessary for the normal functioning of the brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system.

For example, treatment protocols for children with autism include a strict ban on sugar, as sugar inhibits the development of skills in children with special developmental skills.

Experiment at home: exclude sweets from children's diets for at least a week and you will notice how the behavior will change for the better. Diligence, perseverance will improve, the appetite for healthy foods will appear, sleep will improve and the child will wake up more easily.

It is necessary to control not only the consumption of refined sugar but also of all carbohydrate foods because in the end all carbohydrates in the body are converted into glucose.

It is not necessary to give them up completely - the total amount of glucose consumed per day must correspond to the recommended norms for the child's age.

At the same time, it is necessary to reduce the number of products with a high glycemic index. By the way, they are attributed to dried fruits, honey, and fresh juices preferred by many mothers. For example, honey is a treasure trove of beneficial substances for the body, but if the goal is to reduce glucose consumption, then it makes no sense to replace sugar with this product.

The glycemic index is an indicator of the effect that a carbohydrate product has on blood sugar after consumption.

Baby food may also contain caffeine from industrial sweets, chocolate, carbonated and energy drinks, tea, coffee, and even medicines. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, and in combination with sugar (for example, a carbonated beverage), it is a real bomb for him.

Caffeine raises blood pressure. This is due to the increased strength and frequency of heart contractions. Thus, caffeine has a direct impact on the cardiovascular system and intensifies the load on the heart.

Recommendations for caffeine consumption

It is recommended to limit the consumption of foods containing caffeine up to 8 years

Between 8–15 years, daily caffeine consumption should not exceed 50 mg (equivalent to a cup of lean black tea and 50 grams of chocolate)

At present, a child can easily buy an energy drink, which contains sugar, caffeine, and guarana. Following such a cocktail, even an adult nervous system can fail - any unnatural arousal is followed by exhaustion, concentration disorders, and depression.

Guarana has a similar effect to caffeine. From this point of view, 1 gram of guarana is equivalent to about 40 mg of caffeine. Nor can it be consumed until the age of 8, and after this age, the daily norm should not exceed 1 gram.

A healthy child does not need energy drinks. If a teenager (most often preferring energy drinks) suffers from an energy deficit, then the cause of the problem must be identified. It may be necessary to adjust the daily regimen, eliminate the deficit of all kinds, to exclude anemia and other health problems.

Food has a colossal impact on psycho-emotional behavior not only in children but also in adults. Scientists began claiming this in 1830 when surgeon William Beaumont was the first to draw attention to the connection between the gut and the brain.

He noted that communication between the gut and the brain takes place through the bottom-up neural connections, that is, from the gut to the brain. This means that the activity of the brain depends a lot on the health of the intestine, especially the condition of the microflora.

Not only does sugar influence its composition, but I also wrote about it here. Theoretically, adding useful products for microflora to the child's diet can also improve his diligence.

Try to adjust the baby's diet. At least it limits the consumption of refined sugar. But this is not enough, provide your child with healthy products and the results will not belong in coming.