British researchers link food additives to behavioral problems
Categories: Health & safety, Eating & nutrition, Development
Researchers in Britain have found a "definite link" between artificial additives with no nutritional value used in drinks, sweets, and processed foods to behavioral problems such as temper tantrums and poor concentration. The study also suggests a possible link between food additives and allergic reactions such as asthma and rashes.
This could be a potential wake-up call for the entire food industry, which could be forced to reformulate many popular children's food products by removing additives that could trigger such reactions. Vyvyan Howard, professor of bio-imaging at Ulster University said: "Parents can protect their children by avoiding foods containing the additives. I personally do not feed these sorts of foods to my 15-month-old daughter."
Britain already has laws banning such additives for foods designed for children under th age of one, and could easily extend the age affected by that ban. Most of the additives are simply used to brighten colors in the food. Those tested to produce the results above were artrazine (E102), ponceau 4R (E124), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), quinoline yellow (E104) and allura red AC (E129). The researchers also looked at the preservative sodium benzoate (E211), a commonly additive in soda.
The complete results of the study aren't being published until a thorough peer review have been conducted.
This could be a potential wake-up call for the entire food industry, which could be forced to reformulate many popular children's food products by removing additives that could trigger such reactions. Vyvyan Howard, professor of bio-imaging at Ulster University said: "Parents can protect their children by avoiding foods containing the additives. I personally do not feed these sorts of foods to my 15-month-old daughter."
Britain already has laws banning such additives for foods designed for children under th age of one, and could easily extend the age affected by that ban. Most of the additives are simply used to brighten colors in the food. Those tested to produce the results above were artrazine (E102), ponceau 4R (E124), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), quinoline yellow (E104) and allura red AC (E129). The researchers also looked at the preservative sodium benzoate (E211), a commonly additive in soda.
The complete results of the study aren't being published until a thorough peer review have been conducted.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
megan 5-10-2007 @ 1:46PM
some people have known about this for years. but in america, we don't like to look to "natural" remedies for behavioral or medical problems. we prefer pills.
my cousin was hyperactive (back then they didn't call it ADD). instead of putting him on ritalin, my aunt and uncle put him on the 'feingold diet'. i know it's somewhat controversial, but the basic gist of it is eliminating artificial colors and artificial flavors (maybe caffeine too?).
we could all tell a huge difference in his behavior and concentration when he'd been to a friend's house and eaten something 'bad'.
i try not to consume these things myself, but it is so hard because the stuff is in EVERYTHING! i also do my best to not eat processed meats, but that too is difficult, and increases our food bill.
my sister-in-law made all her own baby food from fresh ingredients, and i hope to do the same.
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Heather 5-10-2007 @ 2:04PM
I made my son's baby food while working full-time so it is entirely doable. Actually, making is too strong of a word, I just adapted our food for his consumption.
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Catherine 5-10-2007 @ 2:36PM
My eldest is 32y old and I knew about this when he was a little boy. Cleaning up his diet made an incredible difference in his behaviour. But I am glad they finally "discovered" it!
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Nicola 5-10-2007 @ 4:01PM
My sister also had this problem. My parents figured it out very early on. In those days, it tended to be yellow and red colourings that were a problem, so she couldn't have things like artificial lemonade, mac & cheese, etc. And, as stated by megan above, we always KNEW when she'd been to a friend's house and had a restricted food. She truly went from being a sweet and calm child to one who was totally out of control, screaming, crying, and violent. Why not just keep this junk out of our foods, especially those that are targeted towards children?
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Amy 5-10-2007 @ 5:47PM
I hear that sodium benzoate can cause severe adverb problems. :P
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SKL 5-11-2007 @ 10:59PM
I've been trying to tell you guys this, but every time I mention it as an alternative or partial approach to behavioral issues, other posters call me all sorts of names.
Personally I try to buy only organic foods. I think it's worth a try for everyone who isn't thrilled with their kids' behavior (or even their own moods). Also for schools, day care centers, etc. Just a friendly suggestion. If it doesn't work, you can always go back to the additives.
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Heather 5-15-2007 @ 7:53AM
I so agree. I know some ids who have issues with sugar, other have allergies to additives. Why isn't we on't believe it til somone comes out with a study. Parents of these children have been saying this for years.
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