Sweet Death: A Childhood Story
- Madhukar Dama
- Apr 30
- 12 min read
How Innocent Biscuits, Drinks, and Desserts Are Slowly Destroying the Bodies and Brains of Our Children
INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS SUGAR, REALLY?
Sugar is not just a sweet white powder — it’s the most widely accepted, celebrated, and legal psychoactive substance in the world.
It sneaks into your child’s diet in the form of biscuits, cereal, ketchup, curd, juice, laddoo, and even medicines.
It tastes like love, but behaves like a silent poison.
What starts as a sweet treat ends up souring the body, the brain, and even emotional health.
The body doesn’t need added sugar at all. Natural sugars from fruits and vegetables are enough for energy. But added sugars — refined, processed, synthetic — enter the bloodstream too fast, confuse the hormones, damage the gut, inflame the brain, and leave the child hungrier than before.
And yet, we use sugar to reward, celebrate, entertain, distract, bribe, and even show love.
Is it possible that our sweetest habit is the most dangerous one?
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30 SHOCKING TRUTHS ABOUT SUGAR
1. Sugar is more addictive than cocaine – MRI studies show it lights up the brain’s reward center even more powerfully.
2. Children born to mothers with high sugar intake during pregnancy have lower cognitive scores.
3. Sugar suppresses immune function within 30 minutes of consumption.
4. Many children in India consume more sugar in one day than they should in a whole week.
5. Even baby foods, biscuits, and flavored milk have high levels of added sugar.
6. Sugar causes inflammation — the root cause of most chronic diseases.
7. High sugar intake is directly linked to childhood anxiety and depression.
8. Sugar disrupts gut bacteria, leading to digestive and mental disorders.
9. Fructose (found in corn syrup, soft drinks) directly contributes to fatty liver.
10. Excess sugar triggers early puberty in girls and hormonal imbalances in boys.
11. The “sugar rush” is followed by a dangerous energy crash — making children moody and irritable.
12. India is among the top 3 countries in the world in sugar consumption — and in childhood diabetes.
13. White sugar is a highly refined chemical — it is not food, it is an industrial product.
14. Sugar kills appetite for real food — leading to nutritional deficiencies.
15. Frequent sugar consumption leads to long-term learning and memory problems.
16. Even one sugary drink a day increases risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children.
17. Sugar triggers the same pathways as alcohol — and can damage the liver in similar ways.
18. Emotional eating starts with sugar exposure in early childhood.
19. Sugar alters taste buds — making natural foods taste bland or boring.
20. Sugar causes aging — of the skin, the brain, and internal organs.
21. Children who consume high sugar diets are more likely to show aggressive or oppositional behavior.
22. Artificial sweeteners added to “sugar-free” foods can be even more harmful to the gut and brain.
23. Eating sugar creates oxidative stress — damaging cells, nerves, and DNA.
24. Excess sugar increases uric acid levels — increasing the risk of kidney problems and joint pain.
25. Sugar depletes minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc from the body.
26. Sugar is the leading cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children.
27. Cereal marketed to kids often contains more sugar than a chocolate bar.
28. Flavored curd, ketchup, and even fruit juices contain hidden sugar levels far beyond WHO recommendations.
29. Sugar addiction is socially approved, but biologically dangerous — especially in growing children.
30. The average urban Indian child is unknowingly raised on a dessert-based diet, masked as snacks and “health” drinks.
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Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the physical, mental, psychological, emotional, behavioral, health, and nutritional effects of sugar in children, categorized for clarity.
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1. PHYSICAL EFFECTS
1. Obesity – Excess sugar leads to fat accumulation, especially around the belly.
2. Dental Cavities – Sugar feeds mouth bacteria, leading to acid that decays teeth.
3. Fatigue & Lethargy – Sugar highs are followed by crashes, making kids sluggish.
4. Poor Immunity – Sugar suppresses white blood cells, weakening defenses.
5. Headaches – Sugar spikes can cause dehydration and headaches.
6. Acne & Skin Problems – Sugar triggers insulin which affects hormones and skin.
7. Digestive Issues – Excess sugar disturbs gut bacteria, leading to gas and bloating.
8. Sleep Disturbance – Hyperactivity from sugar leads to delayed, broken sleep.
9. Early Puberty – High sugar intake is linked to hormonal imbalances in girls.
10. Vision Problems – Sugar affects nerves and circulation in the eyes over time.
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2. MENTAL & COGNITIVE EFFECTS
1. Brain Fog – Sudden sugar highs followed by crashes reduce clarity.
2. Reduced Focus – Sugar hampers attention span and concentration.
3. Memory Issues – Long-term high sugar harms hippocampus (memory center).
4. Impaired Learning – Poor blood sugar control weakens cognitive performance.
5. Increased Risk of ADHD Symptoms – Sugar is linked to hyperactivity patterns.
6. Lower IQ Development – Studies show a negative correlation over time.
7. Erratic Thinking – Unstable glucose leads to inconsistent cognitive processing.
8. Delayed Speech or Language Skills – Poor gut-brain axis due to sugar imbalance.
9. Impaired Decision Making – Sugar affects prefrontal cortex development.
10. Reduced Problem-Solving – Crashes reduce the ability to process multiple steps.
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3. PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
1. Addiction Behavior – Sugar triggers dopamine like drugs do.
2. Craving Cycles – Leads to obsessive thoughts about food or sugar.
3. Mood Swings – Emotional instability increases.
4. Low Self-Control – Leads to impulsive behavior and poor restraint.
5. Body Image Issues – Weight gain leads to shame and comparison.
6. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) – Addiction to sugary treats at social events.
7. Reward-Based Behavior – Child links love and success to food.
8. Obsessive-Compulsive Tendencies – Especially around sweet rituals.
9. Reduced Stress Tolerance – Minor stress feels overwhelming.
10. Overstimulation Withdrawal – Feels empty or restless without sugar stimulus.
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4. EMOTIONAL EFFECTS
1. Irritability – Sudden sugar drop causes crankiness.
2. Frequent Tantrums – Unstable mood from energy crashes.
3. Anxiety – Hyperarousal followed by withdrawal creates nervous energy.
4. Depression – Chronic sugar use linked to low serotonin over time.
5. Frustration Intolerance – Low ability to wait, cope, or deal with failure.
6. Guilt after Eating – Emotional eating followed by regret.
7. Emotional Dependency – Uses sugar to deal with loneliness or boredom.
8. Loneliness in Groups – Cravings interfere with emotional engagement.
9. Overexcitement – Uncontrolled laughter, mania-like behavior.
10. Numbness – After regular overstimulation, emotions dull out.
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5. BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS
1. Aggression – High sugar intake linked to violent outbursts.
2. Restlessness – Unable to sit still or engage calmly.
3. Impulse Control Issues – Tends to act before thinking.
4. Defiance – Refusal to obey when cravings are denied.
5. Manipulative Behavior – Lies, steals, or begs for sugary treats.
6. Attention-Seeking – Acts out to get sugar rewards.
7. Poor Sleep-Wake Routine – Sugar interferes with body rhythm.
8. Loss of Interest in Play – Passive screen+snack lifestyle emerges.
9. Stubborn Eating Habits – Refuses real food in favor of sugar.
10. Isolation – Child prefers food to friendships.
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6. GENERAL HEALTH EFFECTS
1. Type 2 Diabetes Risk – Increasingly seen in children due to sugar overload.
2. Fatty Liver Disease – Fructose converts to fat in the liver.
3. Hypertension – High sugar causes blood pressure problems.
4. Chronic Inflammation – A root cause of many degenerative diseases.
5. Allergies & Asthma – Sugar may worsen airway inflammation.
6. Hormonal Imbalances – Insulin, leptin, cortisol all get disrupted.
7. Frequent Colds & Fevers – Weak immunity due to sugar.
8. Anemia – Sugar crowding out real iron-rich food.
9. Nutritional Deficiencies – Sugar displaces nutrients.
10. Delayed Healing – Wounds, bruises, and infections take longer to recover.
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7. NUTRITIONAL EFFECTS
1. Displaces Real Food – Sugar suppresses appetite for healthy meals.
2. Low Fiber Intake – Sugar foods lack fiber, causing constipation.
3. Low Protein Intake – Preference for sweets reduces protein-rich food intake.
4. Low Vitamin D and Calcium – Sugar blocks absorption.
5. Zinc and Magnesium Deficiency – Affects growth and brain health.
6. Dehydration – Sugar draws water, worsening hydration.
7. Overeating – Sugar fails to signal fullness.
8. Loss of Appetite for Traditional Foods – Rejects homemade, balanced meals.
9. Low B-Vitamins – Needed for mood, energy, brain — drained by sugar.
10. Junk Food Dependency – Prefers processed, flavored, artificial foods.
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Here is a deep, realistic, and compassionate healing dialogue between a couple with three children and a wise natural healer named Madhukar, set in a rural Indian healing space. The couple seeks help after facing years of silent damage caused by sugar addiction — in themselves and their children.
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TITLE: “WE FED THEM LOVE… AND POISON”
Characters:
Ramesh (42): Works in a bank, diabetic, fatigued, irritable
Savitha (39): Homemaker, obese, hormonal issues, guilt-ridden
Sahana (14): Overweight, anxious, binge-eater
Chirag (11): Hyperactive, cavities, poor focus
Sneha (6): Always asking for sweets, frequent fevers
Madhukar (Healer): Mid-60s, lives naturally, never eaten sugar
Setting: Madhukar’s simple mud home in a village in Karnataka. A neem tree shades the veranda. The family looks tired, guilty, and overwhelmed.
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PART 1: THE CONFESSION
Ramesh:
(voice low) We didn’t come here for a spiritual retreat or anything.
We came because… we are scared.
Our children… their health, their behavior… something is wrong.
Savitha:
(eyes moist) I gave them all the love I could.
I didn’t know I was giving them poison.
Madhukar:
(quietly sipping neem tea)
Nobody gives poison knowingly, Savitha.
But the deadliest poisons are the ones served as celebration.
Ramesh:
Doctor said diabetes, fatty liver, and vitamin deficiencies… for me and her.
Dentist told us all three kids need fillings.
My son can’t sit for 10 minutes. My daughter eats in secret.
And the youngest… she cries for sweets every few hours.
Madhukar:
And yet, you never forgot to give them dessert after lunch, right?
Savitha:
Every day. It was our family thing.
I thought it meant we are happy, blessed… modern.
I thought jaggery or “kids’ biscuits” were safe.
Madhukar:
Even poison has flavors.
Would you give your child a spoonful of a chemical if it was labeled “smart food”?
Ramesh:
I thought walking 30 minutes a day would cancel out the sugar.
Madhukar:
Would you walk for 30 minutes after inhaling smoke from a firecracker and expect your lungs to be fine?
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PART 2: THE TRUTHFUL MIRROR
Sahana (whispers):
I hide biscuits under my pillow. I don’t know why I do that.
Chirag:
I hate veggies. I feel like hitting something when I don’t get chocolate.
Sneha:
I dream of ice cream.
Savitha (sobbing):
We didn’t realize… we thought this was normal childhood.
Madhukar:
This is not childhood.
This is captivity — in addiction disguised as love.
Ramesh:
Then tell us, how do we come out?
What do we eat, what do we change? We are ready.
Madhukar:
You must not just change the food.
You must change the rituals around food.
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PART 3: THE PATH TO FREEDOM
Madhukar (laying out steps):
1. THROW IT ALL OUT
Every biscuit, juice box, jam, ketchup, sweet curd, packaged snack, breakfast cereal, energy drink.
Out of the house. Today.
2. REPLACE WITH REAL FOOD
Fruits, coconut, soaked dry fruits, banana stem, sprouts, homemade ragi laddoo (no jaggery), sweet potato.
Make sweetness a natural treat, not a daily fix.
3. DEAL WITH THE WITHDRAWAL
There will be anger, tears, drama.
You must hold your children like they’re recovering from poison.
Because they are.
4. NEVER BRIBE WITH SWEETS
Never say “Eat your food and I’ll give you chocolate.”
Say, “Eat your food and your body will thank you.”
5. SWEETEN THE DAY DIFFERENTLY
Sunlight. Songs. Hugs. Games. Clay.
Make life sweet, not just food.
6. TEACH TRUTH
Tell your children: “We made a mistake. But we love you more than our habits.”
Children don’t resent truth. They resent hypocrisy.
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PART 4: 3-MONTH PROGRESS
AFTER 1 MONTH
The tantrums reduce.
The youngest starts enjoying fruits.
Ramesh feels lighter. Sleep improves.
AFTER 2 MONTHS
Sahana loses weight naturally and smiles more.
Chirag’s focus returns. Teachers notice.
Sneha stops asking for sugar.
AFTER 3 MONTHS
Family eats together without distraction.
Cravings disappear.
Ramesh’s blood sugar is near normal.
Savitha wears a saree she had packed away years ago — and smiles in the mirror.
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ENDING
Ramesh (bowing his head):
Thank you for giving our family back to us.
Madhukar:
No.
I just showed you the mirror.
You decided to wash off the sugar.
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“THE WHITE POWDER IN THE KITCHEN”
(It wasn’t cocaine. It was sugar. And we called it food.)
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It came in quietly,
a kilo packed in a white paper bag
from the corner kirana.
Next to the salt, next to the rice.
No alarms.
No warnings.
Just
"Thoda meetha ho jaaye."
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We never questioned it.
A spoon in tea.
Two in payasam.
Three in suji halwa.
And a dozen
in the life of a child
who had no say.
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My daughter had sugar
in her school tiffin,
in her afternoon milk,
in her evening biscuit,
and again in her “goodnight” custard.
My son had sugar
in his ketchup,
his ketchup had sugar in his noodles,
his noodles were washed down
with a “fruit” drink
that had never met a real fruit.
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My wife made sweets
because we were middle class
and culture meant
feeding sugar until someone says no.
Nobody ever said no.
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We praised her for her desserts.
I praised myself for “providing.”
And the children?
They rotted in silence.
Teeth.
Focus.
Skin.
Mood.
Metabolism.
Gone.
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My daughter is 13.
She hides glucose biscuits like secrets.
She snacks to feel okay.
Then hates herself in the mirror.
My son is 9.
His report card says
“inattentive, distracted, fidgety.”
But the real diagnosis?
Two spoons in milk,
plus hidden candy in the pencil box.
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We blamed genetics.
We blamed hormones.
We blamed online classes.
We blamed "kids these days."
But we never blamed the white sugar
sitting like a king
in the center of our kitchen.
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What did we think it was?
Nutrition?
Celebration?
Love?
It was neither.
It was
a loan we kept taking from our child’s future.
With interest.
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Our ancestors didn’t eat this.
They didn’t need sugar
to stay awake,
to calm kids,
to end meals,
to reward marks,
to say sorry,
to say “I love you.”
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Now we do.
We’re sugar parents.
Feeding glucose
like it’s God.
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And then one day,
the doctor said:
“Your son’s liver is inflamed.”
"Your daughter needs hormone tests."
"You, sir, need to quit sugar or start insulin."
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That night,
I looked at the sugar jar.
Half full.
Half guilty.
Silent.
But loud enough to fill a hospital ward.
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So we threw it away.
All of it.
White poison.
White lie.
White death in teaspoons.
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The first week,
we had fights.
Mood crashes.
Tears.
Shouting.
My daughter screamed.
My son collapsed.
My wife shook.
I almost gave in.
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But something magical happened
on day ten:
We noticed silence.
We noticed calm.
We noticed hunger for real food.
We noticed sleep.
We noticed them—
our children,
our real children,
coming back.
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We still pass the sweet shelves in shops.
We still get laddoos during functions.
We still hear “itna bhi kya extreme?” from relatives.
But we smile.
Because we know.
Because we remember.
Because we almost lost them
to a spoonful of sweetness
and a lifetime of sickness.
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Now,
the white powder in our home
is not sugar.
It’s flour.
It’s chalk.
It’s ash.
Anything.
But never again
that seductive killer
we called "just a little sugar."
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SOURCES FOR CLAIMS ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF SUGAR ON CHILDREN
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1. Sugar and Addiction-like Behavior
Avena, N. M., Rada, P., & Hoebel, B. G. (2008). Evidence for sugar addiction: behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 32(1), 20–39.
DiNicolantonio, J. J., O’Keefe, J. H., & Wilson, W. L. (2018). Sugar addiction: is it real? A narrative review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(14), 910–913.
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2. Sugar and Cognitive Deficits in Children
Nyaradi, A., et al. (2013). Diet in the early years of life influences cognitive outcomes in childhood: a systematic review. Nutritional Neuroscience, 16(5), 265–279.
Benton, D. (2008). The influence of children's diet on their cognition and behavior. European Journal of Nutrition, 47(Suppl 3), 25–37.
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3. Sugar, Hyperactivity & Behavioral Issues
Wolraich, M. L., et al. (1995). The effect of sugar on behavior or cognition in children: a meta-analysis. JAMA, 274(20), 1617–1621.
Del-Ponte, B., et al. (2019). Sugar consumption and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A birth cohort study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 243, 290–296.
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4. Sugar and Emotional Dysregulation
Ludwig, D. S. (2002). The glycemic index: physiological mechanisms relating to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. JAMA, 287(18), 2414–2423.
Dallman, M. F., et al. (2003). Chronic stress and comfort foods: Self-medication and abdominal obesity. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 17(4), 275–280.
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5. Sugar and Childhood Obesity
Malik, V. S., et al. (2013). Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 98(4), 1084–1102.
WHO (2015). Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children. World Health Organization.
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6. Sugar, Dental Health, and Gut Health
Moynihan, P. J., & Kelly, S. A. M. (2014). Effect on caries of restricting sugar intake: systematic review to inform WHO guidelines. Journal of Dental Research, 93(1), 8–18.
De Filippo, C., et al. (2010). Impact of diet in shaping gut microbiota revealed by a comparative study in children from Europe and rural Africa. PNAS, 107(33), 14691–14696.
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7. Sugar and Metabolic Disorders in Children
Lustig, R. H. (2013). Fructose: metabolic, hedonic, and societal parallels with ethanol. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 110(9), 1307–1321.
Schwimmer, J. B., et al. (2006). Prevalence of fatty liver in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 118(4), 1388–1393.
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8. Sugar and Immune Suppression
Sanchez, A., et al. (1973). Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26(11), 1180–1184.
Cohen, S., et al. (1991). Psychological stress and susceptibility to the common cold. New England Journal of Medicine, 325(9), 606–612.
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9. Sugar and Early Puberty
Carwile, J. L., et al. (2015). Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and age at menarche in a prospective study of US girls. Human Reproduction, 30(3), 675–683.
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10. Nutritional Deficiencies Due to Sugar
Gaby, A. R. (2007). Adverse effects of dietary fructose. Alternative Medicine Review, 10(4), 294–306.
Bray, G. A., et al. (2004). Consumption of high-fructose corn syrup in beverages may play a role in the epidemic of obesity. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 79(4), 537–543.
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