Healthy Kids of Sunrise
Sunrise Strong: Strong Minds, Strong Bodies, Strong Characters
Sugar and the Ability to Concentrate
April 2015
We all have heard hundreds of times that sugar is not good for us and we should cut back on our sugar intake. But why? There are many reasons why sugar can be harmful to our bodies and our brains. Sugar is addictive, it can lead to weight gain, and it can fuel hyperactivity, just to name a few. Did you know that sugar also plays a role in our ability to concentrate and learn?
Being able to focus requires good health and brain function. When you do not eat foods with proper nutrients, your brain’s ability to work at it’s highest potential is hindered. Sugar has a negative effect on many of your brain functions. It can affect behavior, memory, and learning ability.
Sugar not only affects your brain's ability to remember information, but it can contribute to symptoms of being overactive and bad-tempered. It also alters your ability to pay attention. When children ingest a large amount of sugar, they can experience a sugar high, followed by a sugar crash. This causes people to have difficulty with attention and memory--which are both important components of learning.
Let’s break it down to what’s actually going on when you consume high levels of sugar. When people consume high levels of sugar and attempt mentally challenging tasks, their bodies produce high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that makes remembering more difficult. High levels of cortisol may result in children not being able to pay attention in class or not being unable to sit quietly. Children who experience this frequently lose a significant amount of learning time.
Fueling your body with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks can make a world of difference. Being able to concentrate and learn is important in everybody’s day to day activities. Just one more reason to lessen sugar in your (and your child’s) diet!