 Artificial Food Additives Affect Children’s Behavior
Source: HollandSentinel.com by Joan Endyke Date: 11/28/08
Years of research finally supports what many parents already knew: Junk
foods – loaded with artificial food dyes and preservatives – cause
behavioral problems in children.
Research from a study of 297 children published in The Lancet found a
significant number of children became more inattentive, impulsive and
hyperactive when given a test drink with artificial additives. (The
subjects were from the general population, not diagnosed with attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder.) In England, where the study was
conducted, people are calling for the additives to be banned from the
food supply because the effects can lead to reading and other problems
in school.
In the U.S., doctors are advising parents to check and possibly change their child’s diet before considering ADHD drugs.
In the February edition of The American Academy of Pediatrics Grand
Rounds, two medical experts praised the current research and advised
pediatricians to recommend ``a trial of preservative-free, food
coloring-free diet'' when a child is hyperactive.
The connection between food additives and behavior was noted more
than 30 years ago by an allergist, Ben Feingold. He also hypothesized
certain children were sensitive to foods with salicylates, compounds
similar to aspirin. He recommended trying an elimination diet and
documented hundreds of case studies in which behavior improved.
Although rigorous research on the Feingold program is lacking, current
research is substantiating many aspects of it. Fervent believers in
Feingold’s methods support and manage the nonprofit Feingold
Association. (www.feingold.org). In addition to salicylates, The
Feingold Program recommends eliminating from the diet: all artificial
(synthetic) colors, listed on the label as ``food coloring'', ``color
added'' or by its FDA number, like FD&C Yellow #5 or FD&C Red
#40 (both used in the Lancet study); artificial flavors listed as
``flavoring'' or ``artificial flavoring'' or artificial vanilla
(vanillin); aspartame (an artificial sweetener); and three
preservatives, BHA, BHT, and TBHQ – already removed from most food for
children in the U.K.
Many children’s cereals contain BHT and artificial colors but Cheerios,
Honey Nut Cheerios, Kashi, Barbara’s, and Trader Joe’s brands do not.
Yogurts, like Stonyfield or Trader Joe’s, do not have artificial
colors. Plain tortilla or potato chips trump artificially colored
Doritos, barbeque potato chips or orange cheese curls. Choose clear
Gatorade, Capri Sun Sport, or dilute natural juice (in half) with water
for young athletes. Dye-free Motrin or Benadryl are also available now.
Joan Endyke is a registered dietitian with a master's degree in
nutrition and food science, and also a certified personal trainer. She
is the nutrition director at Fitness Unlimited.
Readers may send questions about nutrition to Endyke at Fitness
Unlimited, 364 Granite Ave., Milton, MA 02186 or by e-mail to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/lifestyle/x466652919/Healthy-Eating-Artificial-food-additives-affect-children-s-behavior
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