A study published in Academic Pediatrics demonstrated increased hyperactivity and inattention in middle schoolers consuming sugary drinks, especially energy drinks. In a large study (n=1,649) of urban middle school students, the risk of self reported hyperactivity and inattention increased by 14% for each sugary drink consumed. When drinks were broken down by energy drinks versus non-energy drinks, students who consumed energy drinks were a whopping 65% more likely to report symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention.
What can parents of children with ADHD take away from this study?
1) Sugar and caffeine can cause and worsen symptoms of ADHD. Before you allow your child to be diagnosed with ADHD, cut out the caffeine and minimize sugar to see if the behavior issues are due to diet.
2) Children with ADHD should learn to avoid sugar. This extends especially to sugary drinks such as juices, juice drinks, sodas, and other types of sweetened beverages.
3) Parents need to be aware of what their children are drinking. Energy drinks, sweetened coffee beverages, smoothies, soda, and even Pediasure, can be sources of extreme amounts of sugar which may be working against treatment for ADHD.
4) Don't assume that caffeine will help your child with ADHD symptoms. This is especially true if it is given in the form of a sweetened beverage.
Reference:
Schwartz, D. L., K. Gilstad-Hayden, A. Carroll-Scott, S. A. Grillo, C. McCaslin, M. Schwartz, and J. R. Ickovics. "Energy Drinks and Youth Self-Reported Hyperactivity/Inattention Symptoms." Academic Pediatrics (2015): n. pag. Web.
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