Glucose improves attention and reaction to frustration in children.

There have been many suggestions that both dietary sugar and the level of blood glucose may be associated with abnormal behaviour. To examine this question 60 six- and seven-year old children were given a drink that contained either 25 grams of glucose or a placebo towards the end of the school day. They were then subjected to one test that required sustained attention and to a second that was intentionally frustrating. Those given the drink containing glucose were more capable of sustaining attention and showed fewer signs of frustration.