In a narrative review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine the authors write that sugar could act as a gateway to alcohol and other addictive substances, adding that like sugar, like cocaine and opium, is refined from plants to yield pure white crystals — a process they say “significantly adds to its addictive properties.”
Eating sugar injects opioids and dopamine in our bodies. This is the connection between added sugar and addictive behavior. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is a key part of the “reward circuit” associated with addictive behavior.
It will amaze you to know that according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average child under 12 consumes 49 pounds of sugar annually.
Comparatively, this is just only three pounds less than the average adult despite children considered to be known as much smaller.
It should be noted that sugar consumption isn’t in any way improving their total health condition, but in actual sense having negative repercussion as is it impacting their academic performance.
This might be a surprise to you, but the facts are unbendable.
Sugar reduces Attention Span and Memory
According to scientists and some dieticians sugar activates the brain’s pleasure response, but scientists have done a great deal of investigation to reach the firm conclusion that it impacts the brain in different ways.
Research has shown that any time people consume a lot of sugar and subsequently attempt to find a solution to a challenging task, like math problems, the brain’s hypothalamus causes the body to release a lot of cortisols. This scientifically explained as the stress hormone where the substance retards memory.
It is estimated that when children’s bodies are loaded with cortisol at school, they find it extremely difficult to pay attention to their lessons taught in class, as they are unable to sit quietly.
It is arguably clear that When their attention is directed at something elsewhere, they are unable to concentrate to retain and assimilate information they’re taught.
Too much Sugar Consumption likely to Permanently Impair Memory Functions
What is becoming threatening among children’s life is that In the short run, sugar consumption will only impair memory temporarily.
On the other hand, if children are able to decrease their sugar consumption, they might reach their actual academic potential.
However, some investigation have proven that overindulging in sugar early may have a long-lasting effect.
Researchers from the University of Southern California as part of their findings fed adult and adolescent rats beverages with sugar levels comparable to that found in ordinary sodas.
After a month, the adults exhibits signs of normal brain function. Meanwhile, the adolescent rats showed reduced memory and learning capabilities.
Aside from declined memory levels, these rats also had inflamed hippocampi. This part of the brain is essentially good at forming memories and organizing and storing memories.
We should all be alert to this reality that If sugar can alter the way young rats response to things, then we should bear in mind the danger it poses to our children.
Sugary Foods overtakes Brain Food
When sugar enters the digestive tract, it sends a signal to the brain to inform the body that it has already had its fill. This way, it gives meaning to the fact that researchers from Pennsylvania State University discovered that the more added sugar children consume, the less likely they are to eat healthy brain foods like grains, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.
Many at times children clave for a fruit-flavored candy, which contains empty calories, over a real piece of fruit, which has potency to improve their cognitive function. They quickly grab a soda from a vending machine instead of going for memory-enhancing milk.
And as soon as they consume it, they get their satisfaction thinking that they’re so full that they won’t have the feel to touch the healthy food. In this regard, the problem with sugar consumption isn’t just about the sugar itself, but also what children refuse to eat instead when they consume it.
What Possible Thing You Can Do To Limit Sugar Consumption Among Children
It is significantly appropriate to decrease your child’s sugar consumption as this will go a long way to help them achieve their academic potential.
The American Heart Association recommends that children should not have more than four teaspoons of sugar a day.
Most often than not we fail to realize that sugars are found in unexpected places like sauces, dried fruits, and flavored yogurts.
You should know that Whether your children are in kindergarten, primary or basic school, too much sugar can and will affect their academic performance.