The Relationship Between Sugar and ADHD

How Does Sugar Impact ADHD?

A study² conducted at Yale University indicates that high-sugar diets may increase inattention in some kids with ADHD.  However, the consensus thus far seems to demonstrate no correlation between refined sugar and increased hyperactivity in children with ADHD. An answer for the  Yale University study is that it suggests that some kids with ADHD are sensitive to copious amounts of sugar.

Alternatives To Sugar

If resorting to candy or sweets use white peppermints sweetened with sorbitol or sugar-free gum. Manage the candy your child is allowed to consume on a daily basis. Substitute sugary products with nuts, fresh veggies,  and colorful fruits with tasty dips.  Avoid fruit “drinks”, which are high in sugar.

Sugar by Any Other Name

The following ingredients are all code words for sugar. When grocery shopping and looking at an item that has an overwhelmingly long list of ingredients, you can use this to help understand what does and what doesn’t have some form of sugar in it.

• corn sweetener
• corn syrup
• corn syrup solids
• dehydrated cane juice
• dextrin
• dextrose
• maltodextrin; malt syrup; maltose
• molasses
• rice syrup
• saccharose
• sorghum or sorghum syrup
• sucrose

The Takeaway

You can conduct your own experiment at home to determine whether your child is sensitive to sugar intake.  For a week allow your child to consume sugar and monitor his behavior, and keep a written log. Then remove the sugar from his diet for a week. Then repeat so you have a month’s worth of data to compare the results.

Bottom line is, sugar is not healthy regardless of the effects on behavior. From cavities to suppressing the immune system, to taking the place of healthy foods, to increasing the risk of diabetes, to obesity, it’s well known that too much sugar can cause a host of problems.

Dr. Gordon is an experienced ADHD expert. He is devoted to helping you learn more about ADHD and find solutions for each individual’s needs. Please feel free to contact us for any concerns or questions regarding ADHD about yourself, or a loved one.

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with ADHD. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.