Study Shows Artificial Flavors, Colors, Preservatives make all Kids Hyper
Dr. Jim Stevenson and his team of researchers from the University of Southampton, U.K., just published the results of their study in the September issue of the Lancet: “Food additives and hyperactive behavior in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community.” Stevenson and his team tested 297 children in a double-blind-placebo-control study. Each child was given a drink and then their parents and teachers subsequently rated their behaviors. The juice “cocktails” consisted of popular azo dyes and sodium benzoate. The researchers used a global hyperactivity aggregate to measure the outcomes. Older children were also given a computer exam to test their ability to attend to tasks.
The researchers determined that artificial colors and/or sodium benzoate increased levels of hyperactivity in preschool aged and 8-9 year old children within the general population.
This shouldn’t come to a surprise for most mothers. On a long ride home from a holiday party most will agree that it takes a lot of patience to deal with little kids filled up with colored frosting from a birthday cake, boxes of sugar-laden artificial juice drinks, and bags of chewy, artificially colored gummy candies.
“These findings show that adverse effects are not just seen in children with extreme hyperactivity (ie, ADHD),” the report states, “but can also be seen in the general population and across the range of severities of hyperactivity. Our results are consistent with those from previous studies and extend the findings to show significant effects in the general population” [Lancet,7].
The implications of this research are huge. This report should send a wake-up call to the entire pharmaceutical-driven medical community that is quick to drug children suffering from chemical sensitivities that affect behavior.
Stevenson’s report concludes: “We have found an adverse effect of food additives on the hyperactive behaviour of 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children. Although the use of artificial colouring in food manufacture might seem superfluous, the same cannot be said for sodium benzoate, which has an important preservative function. The implications of these results for the regulation of food additive use could be substantial” [Lancet,7].
This report has given credence to the work that the Daily Mail has been doing in the U.K., trying to remove these harmful chemicals from kid’s candies. Several major supermarkets in Britain have pledged to get rid of the dyes in their “in-house” products.
A spokesman for Haribo [info [at] uk.haribo.com] claims that,
“By the end of 2007 all of our bagged gums and jellies will be clear of all artificial colours.”
Asda, a U.K. retail giant that is part of the Walmart Family, claims it will eliminate artificial additives from its 9,000 own-label food and soft drinks by the end of the year.
Judith Batchelar of Sainsbury’s said:
“I’m very proud that Sainsbury’s is the first major food retailer to remove artificial colouring, flavour enhancers and benzoate preservatives from virtually all our own-brand food and soft drinks. We’re proud to be at the forefront of this and are happy to support the Mail’s campaign.”
Mars and Cadbury have also announced plans to remove artificial coloring from their candy in Britain.
The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends dietary changes for children suffering from symptoms of ADHD (ADHD and Food Additives Revisited).
UPDATE
Just wanted to add a link to a Nov. 13, 2008 article from the Daily Mail.
“Ministers have backed a ban on six food additives linked to hyperactivity in children.
The decision follows a call from the Food Standards Agency earlier this year for the food industry voluntarily to remove the chemicals.
The news is a major breakthrough for the Daily Mail’s ‘Ban the Additives’ campaign.
It follows research that found children became hyperactive when fed a cocktail of additives used in hundreds of products.”
Government bans six food additives linked to hyperactivity in children.
Now if only the U.S. would follow suit!
I found your article to be very informative. I found out a few years ago that myself and my children were sensitive to these food dyes. I was angered by the fact that it took so long for me to find the root of the cause of my children’s behavioral changes – so much so that I created a blog for others. After getting rid of all artificial coloring from our foods and products, we have been a very peaceful and happy family. Thank you for getting more information out there!
Preservatives and these harmful products should be regulated by the government. They are not at all healthy to be eaten by our kids!