Children who are fed diets high in added sugars are more likely than children with lower sugar intakes to have a number of negative health consequences as they develop, including childhood obesity, cardiovascular disease and tooth decay. Diet from birth to 24 months also shapes long-term food preferences.
When can babies have sugar? While it is considered safe to add sugar to baby's food after 12 months of age, it can be beneficial to wait until closer to the 2nd birthday to introduce sugar and sweeteners (even natural ones like agave, date syrup, honey, maple syrup, and stevia).
Added sugars don't provide any of the nutrients babies and toddlers need to thrive and grow, and in excess can lead to some longer-term health issues. Most 1 to 2 years old babies eat 3 meals and 2 snacks daily, but their tummies are small and may only fit a few bites at any given meal or snack.
How does sugar affect children's health and development? Studies show a negative impact on academic performance, learning and memory. Children experience metabolic outcomes like fatty liver disease, diabetes, heart disease and inflammatory conditions like asthma, acne and even gout.
Excess sugar puts the brain in overdrive
When the brain is overstimulated, it can lead to hyperactivity and mood swings. However, these behavioral changes are only the short-term consequences. Some evidence suggests that this brain hyperactivity in adolescents is linked to cognitive deficits in adulthood.
“Avoid foods and beverages with added sugars during the first 2 years of life,” the committee stated. “The energy in such products is likely to displace energy from nutrient-dense foods, increasing the risk of nutrient inadequacies.
In a scientific statement published in Circulation, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that children ages two to 18 should limit their added sugar consumption to less than six teaspoons (25 grams) per day, and sugary beverages should be limited to no more than eight ounces per week.
Research has also shown that intake of refined sugar may depress the immunity which may further lead to high risk of infections and diseases in babies. Some clinical studies have also shown that young babies who are given foods high in sugar are at an increased risk of heart disease in future.
Children younger than 24 months old should avoid added sugars. Check the Nutrition Facts Label to find foods with no added sugars. Sugar-sweetened drinks (such as soda, pop, soft drinks, flavored milks, sports drinks, flavored water with sugar, and juice drinks) contain added sugars.
High blood glucose levels during pregnancy can also increase the chance that your baby will be born too early, weigh too much, or have breathing problems or low blood glucose right after birth.
Excessive sugar consumption is harmful to brain health, and can lead to memory deficiencies, sugar addiction, and decline in overall health. To keep your brain healthy, consume sugar in moderation and within the recommended guidelines.
In a large review of 73 meta-analyses — which included 8,601 studies — high consumption of added sugar was associated with significantly higher risks of 45 negative health outcomes, including diabetes, gout, obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, cancer, asthma, tooth decay, depression and early death.
Symptoms. Babies with hyperglycemia often have no symptoms. Sometimes, babies with high blood sugar will produce large amounts of urine and become dehydrated. High blood sugar may be a sign that the baby has added stress on the body due to problems such as an infection or heart failure.
Babies and toddlers should have very little, if any sugar before the age of two. IN SUM — Most health organization agree that babies should be given little to no sugar before the age of two.
Dr. Nigma Talib, a naturopath who works with celebrities, has popularized the term “Sugar Face” to describe the effects that excess sugar has on the skin. Supposedly, she can look at someone's face and determine if they have a sweet tooth by the appearance and the location of their blemishes and wrinkles.
Bottom Line. So, is honey healthier than sugar? Both provide sweetness and have their place in your kitchen. However, research suggests that honey may have more health benefits than other forms of regular sugar, like granulated and cane.
Too much sugar in your diet can make your diet high in kilojoules or 'energy dense' and can contribute to health problems like obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. Refined (or processed) sugar provides a quick, simple source of energy, but it doesn't contain other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
Excess sugar consumption may also affect the height of kids. Sugar increases the insulin level in the body and prevents the body from growing properly.
However, too much sugar can actually be detrimental to the normal growth of the brain. Research results of nutrition indicate that consumption of sugary food is associated with mental distress – such as anxiety and depression – and disrupted sleep.
The AAP offers the following suggestions: Aim for less than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day for children 2 years of age and older. Avoid serving food and drinks with added sugar to children under 2 years of age.