Sugar, the Cane of All Evil

One of my common stances that I take in matters of health that usually goes against the logic of that cosmic all-knowing figure, Dr. Mom, is that sugar does not make kids hyper.  I also find the stance of many health food fanatics ridiculous when they maintain that sugar is the cause of all things evil in the human body.  However, since I imagine most people would agree that sugar does not cause cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and whatever other ill you can think of I will choose not to focus on that aspect of the great sugar conspiracy.  In regards to hyperactivity Dr. Mom seems to have some new evidence on her side from a new study in Sweden that claims sugary soft drinks are directly connected with hyperactivity and has a "complex link" to mental health disorders.  What is interesting about the article (my confidence level in "scientific" journalists interpreting research studies is next to zero) that completely contradicts its initial claims of a "direct linear" connection is the following statement:

"The researchers said it was possible that other substances in the soft drinks, such as caffeine, were to blame for the symptoms, and they did not check other possible sources of refined sugar in the children's diets."

Dr. Moms across the country refuse to give children sugary candy or drinks before bed time or when they do not want the child to become hyper or act-out.  However, that same mom, when she needs a boost of energy to stay awake reaches for anything with caffeine not sugar.  I have never heard of de-caf coffee with loads of sugar being prescribed as a stay awake antidote.  Is there any possibility that kids go crazy about sugary foods and drinks because first of all they just really like them and second, the parent makes such an event out of having candy and soda that every opportunity to have any is a cause for celebration.  Sugar rots your teeth and probably not much else; there is a reason that placebo pills usually are simply sugar pills.