Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Gnonthgol t1_j6hqbwr wrote

The theory is that children is less able to control their blood sugar levels then adults and that their activity levels and sleepieness is related to their blood sugar levels. That would mean that giving kids sugar before bedtime would make it harder to put them to bed. As with most theories there is some truth to it but these effects are only seen in extreme cases of blood sugar spikes and falls. This is of course easier with children as they are smaller but regular candy, and especially not juice, will not be able to produce this result.

13

Ghostdr1 t1_j6hq7sl wrote

Maybe because their kids won't sleep jacked up on sugar or caffeine from the soda? It's difficult enough to get kids to sleep normally.

12

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6hqp2f wrote

11

brandalfthebaked t1_j6hws0e wrote

But there is usually caffeine in soda.

2

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6hz368 wrote

Cola and Mountain Dew impersonators, yes. Not in Lemon-Lime sodas or ginger ales. But the question was about sugar, not caffeine.

3

brandalfthebaked t1_j6i2e2e wrote

The comment you were replying to said "sugar or caffine"

Cool to know about the sugar high though. I think that's a common misconception.

2

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6i2wog wrote

Fair enough, thanks for pointing that out! The main question was about sugar though so that's why I stuck to that. I think most people are familiar with caffeine being a stimulant ;)

2

timenspacerrelative t1_j6hr295 wrote

So just eat sugar for a cheap sedative!

1

timenspacerrelative t1_j6hqort wrote

Apparently sugar is some chemical we know nothing about. The studies seem to say it's a sedative

1

ariadneasteria t1_j6hw9fq wrote

I don't let my kids have sugar at night because they've already had dinner and brushed their teeth

12

grindermonk t1_j6hy8l4 wrote

This is the real answer. Also drinking soda right before brushing your teeth diminishes the effect of brushing because of the residual sugars in your mouth.

2

capybarometer t1_j6hyiwz wrote

I don't let my kid have sugar except for small treats after meals or on special occasions because sugar is terrible for everyone. Eating less sugar also makes healthier things like fruit taste sweeter so they're more attractive options

2

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6hq7cu wrote

There's been a longstanding old wives tale that sugary food makes children energetic, giving them a sugar rush. We're this to be true, it would make putting your children to bed more difficult, but there is no such thing

8

tky_phoenix t1_j6hvcoq wrote

Even if this in itself might be a myth, kids shouldn't be drinking or eating any highly processed foods that are high in sugar. Not even adults should. Kids shouldn't drink fruit juices either. They aren't as healthy as some people think.

4

timenspacerrelative t1_j6hqjtr wrote

They also apparently debunked Gatorade and Twix. Apparently they do nothing at all.

1

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6hqmri wrote

What was Twix supposed to do?

3

timenspacerrelative t1_j6hqtm6 wrote

It has calories and other digestible ingredients that result in energy because that's how..food..works..

2

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6hrijt wrote

Yes but that's different than a sugar rush. Increasing the blood sugar levels doesn't energize you, if it did Starbucks wouldn't sell coffee they'd sell sugar shots.

3

torsun_bryan t1_j6hromy wrote

You’ve obviously never been around my four-year-old when she sneaks an extra glass of juice

−4

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6hrtrl wrote

Anicdotal evidence is not peer reviewed research. Many, many studies have found no such thing as a sugar rush, regardless of what you think of your four year old.

https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10p0lcj/z/j6hrn6g

7

mygoditsfullofstars2 t1_j6hyjlq wrote

My theory is that sugar makes kids really really happy. Which makes them hyper.

2

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6hz8wr wrote

Mine centers around parties and other gatherings that tend to have sugary foods, but get kids very excited and zipping around with their friends, then the parents blame the birthday cake.

2

torsun_bryan t1_j6hrymd wrote

lol - clearly not a parent, I see

−7

Anticyclonic_Comrade t1_j6htxmw wrote

As another parent, stfu and quit representing us badly. Your anecdote doesn't mean shit and "clearly not a parent" is just you trying to get away with anecdote in a weird pretentious way because you have no data. Just because you had sex and it led to a baby doesn't make you an expert in this.

10

namesdevil3000 t1_j6hx8tn wrote

There’s a lot of people posting about sugar rushes and things like that. So I wanted to offer something different

As someone in food science. Sugar is one of the worst things out their for your health to eat. Yes in nature sugar exists but our bodies have to deal with much higher doses (read amounts) of sugar alllll at once. So the act of clearing that out of your blood is not good when you have to go into this extreme everyday. It’s also crazy how good companies have gotten at customizing sugar to their needs(what makes food more addictive/tasty).

2

chemill16 t1_j6hyl1y wrote

Is it okay to consume sugar in the form of natural foods such as fruits or should these be limited?

1

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6hzj6b wrote

Consuming fruits is VERY different from eating candy. The sugar is complexed with the fiber, which slows down absorption rates and "flattens the curve" of the blood sugar spike. Fruits also contain essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Fruit juices? Might as well be soda. An apple or a banana? Do it up!

3

chemill16 t1_j6i0k8t wrote

Thanks for the advice, I only eat whole food (a lot of fruit) and some people will tell me just how bad fructose is and that fruit is just sugar and all that. Even when I google stuff it’s 50/50. Some people are very against fruit for some reason lol

2

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6i6bgk wrote

Fructose is pretty bad for your liver, I remember my Organic Chem professor railing against it. There is so much conflicting evidence in food science, it can be VERY difficult to study the longterm effects of the consumption of certain foods. I have a good friend who has her masters in Dietetics, and is a Registered Dietician. She hates how demonized fruits are, and was just telling me how for years RDs have been trying to stop MDs from telling dietetics not to eat fruit. Whole, fresh fruits in moderate quantities are certainly good for you!

3

demonardvark t1_j6hxuhk wrote

Children can be easily wound up and get hyper/ energized easily. This equates to them not being able to sleep/ you not able to get them to bed. Sleep is very critical (frankly for everyone) for a childs growth and development. Giving them sugar and caffeine before bed is like dumping gas on a fire and wondering why it's not going out.

2

explainlikeimfive-ModTeam t1_j6i0shb wrote

Please read this entire message


Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s):

  • Rule #2 - Questions must seek objective explanations

  • ELI5 requires that your question be obvious from your post topic (Rule 2)


If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the detailed rules first. If you believe this submission was removed erroneously, please use this form and we will review your submission.

1