According to science, there’s no such thing as a “sugar rush” in kids. A popular myth for decades, many parents avoid giving their kids sugar due to the allegedly impending hyperactivity after consuming it. But where does this myth come from?

A faulty study in the 1970s published in food and cosmetics began the sugar rush scare, which creates a self-fulfilling prophecy for decades to come. Research in the 90s found that parents expecting hyperactive or bad behavior from their kids parented poorly and thus, created the bad behavior they expected. Studies also noted that sugary items were given at social gatherings with other kids already having fun and playing, and the hyperactivity was attributed to the sugar rather than the circumstances the children were in.

So if your child wants to enjoy the occasional sweet, you don’t have to be afraid of them bouncing off the walls all night long. Just be sure they brush their teeth before they go to bed.

Learn more here.

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