William Atkins
Saturday, 20 December 2008 01:56
Science -
Health
Page 4 of 5
5. Curable hangovers
“From aspirin and bananas to Vegemite and water, internet searches present seemingly endless options for preventing or treating alcohol hangovers. Even medical experts offer suggestions.”
"No scientific evidence, however, supports any cure or effective prevention for alcohol hangovers."
“A hangover is caused by excess alcohol consumption. Thus, the most effective way to avoid a hangover is to consume alcohol only in moderation or not at all.”
6. Sugar-caused hyperactivity in children
“While sugarplums may dance in children’s heads, visions of holiday sweets terrorise parents with anticipation of hyperactive behaviour. Regardless of what parents might believe, however, sugar is not to blame for out of control little ones.”
They located 12 double-blind, randomized, controlled trials that investigated the effect of excess sugar intake on children. One of the trials none found any evidence that sugar causes hyperactivity in children.
In fact, the researchers state that in one study, parents were told that their children had been given sugar when, in fact, they had not been given sugar. The parents thought that their children’s behavior was more hyperactive when they thought that the kids had been given sugar (but really hadn’t) versus when they thought their children had not been given sugar (and in fact they hadn’t).
The researchers stated,
“Scientists have even studied how parents react to the sugar myth. When parents think their children have been given a drink containing sugar (even if it is really sugar-free), they rate their children’s behaviour as more hyperactive. The differences in the children’s behaviour were all in the parents’ minds.”
Dr. Collins added,
"A lot of occasions when kids are exposed to sugar are when they are most likely to be super excited, running around, and acting out. They get more ice cream and candy often at times when they are at parties, getting presents, and seeing friends, and these factors all contribute." [CNN Health]
Page five concludes.
