Some studies have found that increased sugar intake can have a negative effect on ADHD symptoms. However, research is mixed, and more long-term studies are needed to verify this connection.
It’s been suggested that certain dietary factors, such as a high sugar intake, can have an impact on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Although some studies have shown that sugar intake can negatively impact ADHD symptoms, the overall research isn’t conclusive.
Some research suggests that sugar can negatively affect ADHD, but other studies have found mixed results.
Dietary patterns
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Alternately, dietary patterns following a high intake of fruits and vegetables seemed to have a protective effect.
Another 2019 review of studies found that following a “healthy” dietary pattern can decrease the chances of developing ADHD by up to 37%. This dietary pattern includes:
Moreover, the researchers found that “junk food” and a Western dietary pattern could increase the risk of developing ADHD. These dietary patterns include foods such as:
- sweetened beverages
- desserts
- red meat
- refined grains
- processed meat
- hydrogenated fat
Soft drinks
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However, this study noted that more research is needed to account for other potential factors.
Sucrose
In one
A 2020 review of studies that focused on diet interventions to treat symptoms of ADHD noted that no studies recommended the removal of sucrose from the diet.
Although sucrose is only one type of sugar, these results may show that only certain types of sugar influence ADHD.
For most people, it isn’t recommended to eliminate any single nutrient — such as carbohydrates — from the diet. Before making any major dietary change, talk with your doctor.
Tips to reduce your sugar intake
- Cut down slowly: If you eat a lot of sugar, you might find it hard to cut back all at once. Instead, you can cut back slowly by eating 3/4 of your usual intake, then 1/2, 1/4, and so on.
- Limit processed foods: Although processed foods can be part of a balanced diet, they can be easy to overeat. Many processed foods have added sugars, which should be eaten sparingly.
- Swap out sugary drinks: Sugary drinks, such as sodas and juices, often contain lots of added sugar. If you’ve been trying to consume less added sugar, try tea or no-sugar-added flavored water instead.
- Read nutrition labels: Learn how to read a nutrition label so you can find out how much “added sugar” a food item contains. This can help you limit how much of it you’re eating each day.
- Experiment with substitutions: Before you reach for the sugar or other sweeteners, consider what else you can use to add flavor, like cinnamon, vanilla, lemon, and other extracts.
Although research has found that sugar may exacerbate symptoms in some people with ADHD, more long-term studies are needed to verify this.
Ultimately, ADHD triggers can differ from person to person, so it can be difficult to narrow down any one specific trigger like sugar.
If you feel like you experience a worsening of ADHD symptoms with high sugar intake, reach out to your doctor. They can take your needs into account when deciding if cutting down on sugar is appropriate for you.
