Nowadays, there are more and more sugary snacks, drinks, fruits, and other foods, leading to excessive sugar intake, especially among children. Experts point out that excessive sugar consumption not only causes obesity, diabetes, cavities, and other issues but also affects nerve activity and intelligence.
The sugar people usually consume is sucrose, which is converted into glucose, a smaller molecule, for oxidation in the body. The oxidation of glucose requires an enzyme containing Vitamin B1 to catalyze it. If excessive sugar is consumed for a long time, the body accelerates the oxidation of sugar, consuming a large amount of Vitamin B1, causing it to be in short supply. This ultimately affects the oxidation of glucose, leading to an accumulation of more incomplete oxidation products such as lactic acid. When these substances accumulate in brain tissue, they affect the activity of the central nervous system, causing mental irritability, which manifests as "sweet food syndrome" characterized by lack of concentration, emotional instability, crying easily, and being prone to temper tantrums.
To prevent "sweet food syndrome," it is necessary to control sugar intake starting from infancy. Avoid sweets before and after meals and before bedtime. The daily sugar intake should not exceed 0.5 grams per kilogram of body weight.