NEW research has revealed the potential effects that many snacks being consumed during school and university exam season can have.

Hannah Richardson from Pens.com highlighted that many students reach for sugary snacks or energy drinks for a quick boost, but these choices often lead to energy crashes that disrupt effective studying.

Hannah pointed out that several common snack choices can cause significant problems with focus, memory retention and overall cognitive performance during revision periods.

To help examine the effects further, she compiled a list of five biggest impacts on students. Read below to find out more from Hannah.

Many students grab chocolate bars or sweets while revising, thinking the sugar rush will help them study longer. The sugar spike offers about 20 minutes of heightened energy before causing a dramatic crash that leaves teenagers more tired and less able to concentrate than before.

Hannah noted that the resulting blood sugar rollercoaster can create a cycle of poor concentration that ruins productive study sessions.

Hannah warned against energy drinks that combine caffeine with sugar, stating they particularly disrupt teenage brains.

She said: "These drinks might seem like perfect revision companions, but they often contain extremely high levels of caffeine that can trigger anxiety symptoms in teenagers. The resulting jitters and racing thoughts make it nearly impossible to absorb information properly."

She added that caffeine stays in the teenage body longer than in adults, potentially disrupting sleep patterns for up to 14 hours after consumption.

Crisps, processed cheese snacks, and similar packaged foods contain artificial additives that may interfere with memory formation. These foods offer little nutritional value while potentially hampering the brain's ability to encode new information during revision.

Hannah recommended students avoid these empty-calorie options during intensive study periods.

White bread sandwiches, pasta, and other refined carbohydrates convert quickly to sugar in the bloodstream. These foods trigger the release of serotonin and tryptophan, which creates a sense of relaxation and drowsiness - exactly what students don't need during revision.

She noted that many students incorrectly blame afternoon tiredness on natural energy cycles rather than their lunch choices.

Salty snacks like crisps can lead to dehydration, which dramatically impacts cognitive performance. Even mild dehydration reduces concentration by up to 10 per cent, yet many students forget to drink water throughout revision sessions. It’s stressed that proper hydration remains one of the most overlooked factors in maintaining focus during studying.

Hannah added that parents can help by stocking the kitchen with brain-boosting alternatives like nuts, berries, hummus with vegetables, and protein-rich snacks that provide sustained energy without the negative effects of sugar-heavy options.

Hannah said: "The right nutrition during revision periods can make a significant difference to a student's ability to concentrate, retain information, and perform well in exams.”