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Is sugar considered a proven cause of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?

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Sugar is not considered a proven cause of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While theories linking the condition to excessive sugar consumption have existed, they are among several proposed causes that suffer from a lack of scientific evidence.1

Current research indicates that ADHD is believed to result from a combination of inherited and environmental factors, with a strong emphasis on heredity and neurobiological differences. Studies using imaging technologies have identified subtle variations in brain structure and function in individuals with ADHD, such as differences in the corpus callosum and the caudate nuclei, as well as variations in neurotransmitters like dopamine. These findings suggest that ADHD may be related to a developmental lag in the brain's inhibitory circuits rather than dietary factors like sugar intake.1