The researchers followed 300 children in the UK in two age groups, 3-year-olds and 8/ 9-year-olds. Children from these groups were put either on a diet without any food additives and or one where they were given one drink per
day containing either fruit juice or a mixture of benzoate preservative and food colouring.
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Parents rated the children's behaviour each week of the seven week study, and the children were also studied by psychology graduate students given special training. The children were observed 3 times a week for 8 minutes each.
After two weeks, children in both age groups were significantly more hyperactive when drinking the beverages which contained additives. Researchers found that the children who had no history of any hyperactive disorder showed varying degrees of hyperactivity after consuming the drinks.
Among the additives studied were:
E211, sodium benzoate, used as a preservative to extend shelf-life of food and drinks.
E102, tartrazine, (yellow food dye) which can be found in ice cream, soft drinks and fish sticks.
E104, quinoline yellow, (yellow food dye) found in soft drinks (+ cosmetics)
E110, (yellow dye) used in sweets and yogurts
E122, carmoisine, a derivative of coal tar used by manufacturers in some yogurts and sweets
E129, allura red, a dye used in soft drinks and bubble gum.
The researchers suggest to parents that hyperactivity has many causes and cannot be cured by avoiding food colourings. However, by restricting preservatives and artificial flavours in your child’s diet and replacing them with natural, whole foods, will give children a sure foundation for health, vitality and fitness.
(1) Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
McCann D, Barrett A, Cooper A, et all (2007) The Lancet
Any information, advice, recommendations, statements or otherwise contained herein, or in any other communication whether oral or in writing, is not intended to replace or to be a substitute for medical advice trained by a trained physician or healthcare practitioner.
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