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How Does Gluten Refined Sugars And Caffeine Have On Children's Behavior

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IB Diploma Extended Essay

The Impacts Gluten, Dairy, Refined Sugars, and Caffeine Have on Children’s Behavior
Sarah Rose
October 20, 2014

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Abstract:
The aim of this essay is to investigate the specific effects gluten, dairy, refined sugars, and caffeine has on children’s behavior. The topic evidently is under the topic of experimental science as the main focus of this essay is about the scientific reasons why dietary components unfavorably alter children’s behavior. This essay aims to answer the question “What role does gluten, dairy, refined sugars, and caffeine have on yielding unfavorable behaviors in children?” In order to attempt to answer this question I first had to identify specific …show more content…

Dairy is the mixture of protein, fat, and carbohydrates that is found in foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Dairy has a large affect on children’s behavior. Many children consume dairy as a major staple in their diets. It is a common misconception that children must consume dairy in order to grow and develop properly. Dairy contains some beneficial elements such as calcium, which promotes healthy bone growth, and potassium, which prevents high blood pressure. Consuming dairy is an easy way to incorporate calcium, potassium, and vitamin D into children’s diets yet is not an ideal food. There are many other ways of getting adequate amounts of these nutrients without the side affects of dairy. Dairy can cause a significant insulin response, spiking the levels of blood sugar; due to the large amounts of sugar that it contains. It also can cause children to be irritable and lethargic. Dairy is also found to increase rates of obesity for children because it is usually given in low-fat or flavored forms, which are actually proven to be worse than full fat dairy products. In 2006, A Swedish study found that children on low-fat dairy diets had a 17% higher rate of obesity because they consumed more sugar in order to make up for the calories they weren’t getting from the natural high calorie and high fat milk. These children also had higher insulin resistance. Children need healthy fats in their diets yet …show more content…

Refined sugar is made through the process termed “refining,” during which impurities and colored components are removed. Raw, natural, sugar is softened, dissolved, and separated to yield the white, pure sugar, or sucrose. Refined sugars are considered unnatural foods and also have adverse effects on children’s behavior. Most studies regarding refined sugars and unwanted behaviors have focused on the behaviors of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are characterized as having a short attention span, impulsive behavior, and increased motor activity compared to other children. Refined sugars are also known to alter behaviors and cognitive processes such as vigilance, impulsivity, memory and motor skills. Shannon first raised the concept that foods containing elevated levels of refined sugars might result in an adverse effect on behavior in 1922. Randolph further explored this concept in 1947. Sugars, but particularly refined sugars are prominent in almost all processed foods and are major dietary components. There is a significant correlation that exists between sugar and behavior. The first and most prominently hypothesized relationship is between sugar and behavior is its causation of hyperactivity and aggressive behavior. This relationship between sugar and hyperactivity and aggressive behavior is based on two theories. The theory is that the

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