Hyperactivity is a condition that can cause a child to have a reduced attention span and be easily excitable, impulsive and distracted. A popular school of thought suggests that hyperactivity can be exacerbated by poor nutrition and that cutting out these foods may improve a child's ability to function in daily life.
Additives
Some food additives that are thought to potentially increase hyperactive behavior are sodium benzoate, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, D&C Yellow No. 10 and FD&C Red No. 40, according to MayoClinic.com. FD&C Yellow No. 5, also called tartrazine, is an additive that may be most likely to cause reactions and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that the ingredient be clearly labeled on food packaging. It can commonly be found in ice creams, custards, beverages and candies. Not all food additives and colorings are under the same requirement, but you may safely conclude that a food or drink contains at least one coloring additive if it is processed and brightly colored.
Refined Sugars
Refined sugars, or processed sugars, may exacerbate hyperactivity. They enter the bloodstream at a rapid pace and can produce extreme fluctuations in a child's blood sugar levels. The rapid shifts in blood sugar may release adrenaline and lead to increased activity, according to MedlinePlus. A sharp blood sugar crash can also lead to a period of reduced activity.
Evidence
No research proves that food additives or sugars cause attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, some research suggests that such ingredients can make hyperactivity worse. For example, a 2007 study published in The Lancet found that artificial colors and the sodium benzoate preservative in the diet led to increased hyperactivity in children aged 3, 8 and 9 years old.
Dietary Considerations
Whether or not additives and refined sugars contribute to hyperactivity in your child, they aren't necessary components of your child's diet. Natural foods such as fruits, whole grains and vegetables are generally more nutritious than the processed foods that contain additives. In addition, sugary foods contribute to tooth decay and they tend to be sources of empty calories. In time, processed foods and foods riddled with refined sugars can contribute to health problems such as obesity. You will naturally reduce your child's intake of junk foods and potentially reduce his hyperactivity by filling him up with nutritious alternatives, such as oatmeal, berries, bananas, nuts, seeds, fish and sandwiches prepared with whole grain breads.
Tip
Not all children react to the same foods in the same manner. Make a food diary for your child, write down the foods you see her eat throughout the day and make periodic notes about her behavior. Especially take note when her hyperactivity seems worse. Once you draw a link between a certain food and hyperactivity, ask your child's pediatrician whether you should try to eliminate the food from your child's diet. Limiting your child's diet too much could deprive her of essential nutrients.
References
- MayoClinic.com: ADHD Diet: Do Food Additives Cause Hyperactivity?
- Alive: Food Additives and Hyperactivity
- Pub Med.gov: Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback; Nutrition in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Neglected But Important Aspect; 2003; R. Schnoll, et al
- MedlinePlus: Hyperactivity and Sugar
- "The Lancet": Food Additives and Hyperactive Behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-Year-Old Children in the Community: a Randomised, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial
