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Food dyes may make kids more hyperactive
by Camilla Abad - March 26, 2011 - comments
Researchers found out that intake of the fruit drinks increased the children’s hyperactive behavior and also had an effect to those who were not formerly diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).
Man-made dyes used in many food products such as cereals, candies and bright-colored beverages, may increase hyperactivity in children, a government report released this week suggests.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI), a consumer group based in Washington D.C., filed a petition on June 3, 2008 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in order to ban all food dyes with the exception of Citrus Red No. 2.
Michael Jacobson, head of CPSI, stated that it is “medically and ethically unwise to burden hyperactive children and their parents with concerns about foods with synthetic dyes.”
“There is convincing evidence that food dyes impair the behavior of some children,” added Jacobson.
Artificial color and hyperactivity
The group has presented two key studies to support their petition.
In 2007, researchers from the University of Southampton published a study in journal 'The Lancet,' which evaluated the effects of artificial colorings and preservatives found in fruit drinks on British children 3- to 4-years-old and 8- to 9-years-old.
They found out that intake of the fruit drinks increased the children’s hyperactive behavior and also had an effect to those who were not formerly diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).
It is “medically and ethically unwise to burden hyperactive children and their parents with concerns about foods with synthetic dyes.”--Michael Jacobson, head of CPSI
Another study, published in 2004 in the 'Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics,' provided an analysis of the link between artificial food coloring and the behavior of children already diagnosed with ADHD.
The concern regarding food dyes flared up in the 1970s when Dr. Ben Feingold, a pediatric allergist, suggested that these dyes were connected with hyperactive behavior.
Determining food dye safety
The FDA’s Food Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on Wednesday and Thursday to deliberate over whether to take any action on the petition made by CPSI.
They have made a preliminary study of the data sent by CPSI, as well as 33 other studies relevant to the issue and wrote, “For certain susceptible children with ADHD and other problem behaviours, the data suggest their condition may be exacerbated.”
ADHD affects 3 to 7 percent of school-aged children in the United States, with boys more likely to be diagnosed than girls, statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states.