There is no solid scientific proof, but it would do us all good to cut back on sweet treats

It’s a warning passed down the generations: give a child too many sweets and they’ll be bouncing off the walls. But is there any scientific proof that sugar sends us into overdrive? Not yet, says Amanda Avery, an associate professor in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Nottingham.

She says there are theories linking sugar to behavioural changes. One stems from how sugar activates the body’s reward system, triggering a burst of dopamine – the “feelgood” neurotransmitter. “Increases in dopamine levels can be linked to behavioural changes, which can include periods of hyperactivity,” says Avery.

Another theory focuses on how eating lots of sugar can cause blood glucose levels to spike and then drop quickly, which is known as reactive hypoglycaemia. This can cause behavioural changes, some of which could be interpreted as hyperactivity.

Hyperactivity is subjective: what one parent might call hyperactive, another might just see as energetic

There’s little evidence to prove these theories though. Not least because hyperactivity – outside its clinical context as a symptom of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – is subjective: “What one parent might call hyperactive, another might just see as energetic.”

Research has so far found only limited links between sugar intake and hyperactive behaviour, mostly among children already diagnosed with ADHD. The strongest links appear with sweetened drinks containing seven or eight teaspoons of sugar in one serving, which also contain additives and caffeine, making it hard to isolate sugar as the culprit. Some studies on animals – but not humans – have shown that those fed high-sugar diets early in life were more likely to show hyperactivity later on.

So, does sugar make us hyper? So far, it hasn’t been proved to. Still, Avery says, most of us eat more sugar than is healthy and we should try to cut back.

Story by The Guardian

Algeria qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup after defeating Iraq 2-0 today at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, the capital of Qatar, in the third round of Group D.

With this result, Algeria raised its tally to seven points at the top of the group, while Iraq remained on six points, securing qualification to the same stage after finishing second in the standings.

In the group’s other match, Bahrain defeated Sudan 3-1 at Education City Stadium, with both teams exiting the tournament.

Story by WAM

Heavy rainfall is set to continue across most regions of Saudi Arabia, the National Centre for Meteorology said in its forecast. Moderate to heavy thunderstorms, capable of triggering flash floods and accompanied by hail and strong winds, are expected over parts of Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, Riyadh, the Eastern Province and the Northern Borders.

Light to moderate rain is also likely in parts of Hail, Tabuk and Al Jouf, as well as across areas of the Kingdom’s southwestern highlands. Some regions may also experience patches of fog.

The NCM reported that surface winds over the Red Sea will blow from the northwest to north in the northern and central areas, and from the southeast to south in the south, at speeds of 18 to 40 km/h, increasing to 50 km/h. Conditions will be moderate to rough, with thunderstorms and rainfall expected near the Bab Al Mandeb Strait.

In the Arabian Gulf, winds will be southeasterly to southerly at 10 to 35 km/h, strengthening to more than 60 km/h. Wave heights will range from half a metre to one and a half metres, rising to over two and a half metres in places. Sea conditions will vary from slight to moderate and may become rough, with thunderstorms and rainfall particularly affecting the northern Gulf.

Story by Gulf News