Food Preservatives and Dyes Linked to Hyperactivity in Children
Researchers in Great Britain have demonstrated that there is a link between hyperactivity in children and the artificial colors and food preservatives in their diet. The study was commissioned by the British Food Standards Agency and carried out at Southhampton University.
The Agency’s Committee on Toxicity’s (COT) evaluation of the study has lead to an advisory which suggests that consumption of mixes of certain artificial food colors together with the preservative sodium benzoate, could be linked to an adverse effect on a child’s behavior. Sodium benzoate is a food preservative commonly found in most popular soft drinks, fruit juices and salad dressings.
The study involved two separate groups of about 300 children. The first group consisted of 3-year-olds and the second group of 8- and 9-year-olds. Each group was given one of three possible mixtures to drink over three one-week periods. The first received a drink with no preservatives or dyes; the second the amount of the substances typically found in soft drinks; and a third group that received a weaker amount of dyes and preservatives.
Researchers found greater amounts of hyperactivity in both groups among the ones who received the highest amounts of preservatives and dyes. Also, it was found that both groups responded with more hyperactivity to the reduced quantity test drink, but that the younger children responded more than the older group. As a result of the study, a COT statement said, “We consider that this study has provided supporting evidence suggesting that certain mixtures of food colors, together with the preservative sodium benzoate are associated with an increase of hyperactivity in children from the general population.”
Professor Jim Stevenson of Southhampton University authored the study and said, “This has been a major study investigating an important area of research. The results suggest that consumption of certain mixtures of artificial food colors and sodium benzoate preservative are associated with increases in hyperactive behavior in children. However, parents should not think that simply taking these additives out of food will prevent hyperactive disorders. We know that many other influences are at work, but this, at least, is one a child can avoid.”