Food Coloring and ADHD
A British Study Shows Link Between Dyes and Hyper Behaviors
© Barbara Pytel
Sep 12, 2007
Food dyes
could be a contributing factor in hyperactive behavior. Other factors also contribute to ADHD behaviors. What are they?
British Study on Food Dyes
Southampton
University in England has found a link to food dyes and hyperactive behavior in children. The research does not prove that
food colorings actually cause ADHD behaviors but there does seem to be a link. The results were published in The Lancet
medical journal in September of 2007.
Susan Jebb, nutrition scientist at Britain’s Medical Research Council, stated, "Such additives are most
likely to be found in foods that we would like to see children eating less of – i.e. soft drinks, confectionery and
so on – and so it reiterates the general healthy eating messages of encouraging healthier food choices." [news.yahoo.com,
September 6, 2007]
The Stats
Nearly 300 children were involved in the study.
Three groups of food
dyes were part of the study.
Group One
Group Two
Sodium benzoate
Sunset
yellow
Carmoisine
Quinoline yellow
Allura
red.
Group Three
Results
Older children showed a "significantly adverse effect" from Group One and Group Two. Younger
children seemed significantly affected by Group One, only. [news.yahoo.com, September 6, 2007]
Nutrition and Food Dyes
This
study brings up a larger issue than food coloring. Nutrition is becoming critical in homes and schools. Cooking "from
scratch" is becoming less common with families relying on packaged foods for a quick supper after a long workday. Preservatives
and food dyes seem to be part of life.
School
lunches are not always freshly cooked meals. Much of the food in schools comes processed and frozen. While there is now a
conscious effort to provide more fresh fruits and vegetables in school lunches, much of the food comes prepared for reheating in the school kitchen.
Many of the juices children are given to drink as a healthy snack
are filled with food colorings. Unless a fruit juice is 100% natural, it is likely to be filled with sugar and dyes.
Chips and cereals are filled with dyes. Look at all the colorful
boxes in the cereal section next time you go shopping. The use of dyes is quite evident.
Home Structure and ADHD
Another
component to ADHD behaviors is structure. School schedules and all the after school participation can raise havoc with home
structure. It is difficult to find a home with a consistent suppertime. Schedules are disrupted with
Before school practices
Scouts
Band
trips
Piano lessons
Dance lessons
After
school practices
Ball games
Church activities
Routines and consistent schedules make life more predicable for an ADHD child. A child
with hyperactive tendencies is easily set off by disruptions in a schedule. Try and build routine into the before and after
school schedules at home.
Allergies
Some children are very sensitive to cleaning fluids and even scented candles. Dust in
the home, cat dander, dogs, and even carpeting can be the cause of hyperactive behaviors. Many claim that allergies disappear
once carpeting is removed and hardwood floors installed. Some doctors will suggest removing carpeting from bedrooms.
Many Causes for ADHD
While
there are many suspected causes for ADHD behaviors, some are easy to eliminate.
Eliminate foods with large quantities of dyes.
Plan a consistent routine in the home.
Snack on whole foods as found in nature instead of packaged snacks.
Look for allergens in the home and see if eliminating
them helps.
Doris J. Rapp, author of The Impossible Child, believes
that food and environment affect behaviors. "This book is designed for caring but perplexed educators and parents who
want to help children who have been erroneously labelled as dumb, lazy, nasty, rude, overactive, irritable, slow or impossible.
This book will enable you to recognize which children have allergies, or food or chemical sensitivities interfering with their
ability to learn and behave normally." Rapp was the Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at State University of
New York at Buffalo at the time the book was published in 1986 by the Practical Allergy Research Foundation.
There is usually more than one cause to a problem and more than one
solution.
Related Articles: Sugar and Mental Health, Grades and Ritalin
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright
article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
The copyright of the article Food Coloring and ADHD in Student Health Issues is owned by Barbara Pytel. Permission to republish Food Coloring
and ADHD must be granted by the author in writing.
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