Artifical food colours make kids hyperactive
Published: Wednesday, 9-Apr-2008
Medical Studies/Trials

A study by researchers in Britain suggests that artificial colour
added to food and beverages could cause hyperactivity.
Hyperactivity is a behaviour which causes increased movement,
impulsiveness and inattention, and can interfere with learning; in
its more severe form, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD), is believed to affect between 2.4% and 5% of the population.

Scientists at Southampton University say developmental damage from
seven food additives equates to that of elevated lead levels on
children's IQ.

The researchers led by Professor Jim Stevenson conducted a study in
order to test whether artificial food colour and additives (AFCA)
affected children's behaviour.

The study involved 153 three year old children and 144 eight to nine
year old children.

The children were either given a drink containing sodium benzoate and
one of two AFCA mixes or a placebo mix.

Teachers and parents observed their behaviour and gave a rating and
for the older group a computerised test of attention was used.

The researchers found that artificial colours or a sodium benzoate
preservative (or both) in the diet resulted in increased
hyperactivity in both groups of children when compared to the placebo.

The research team say that the colours had no nutritional value but
the role of sodium benzoate needs further investigation.

The research has highlighted the links between artificial colourings
and hyperactive behaviour and has prompted the British Food Standards
Agency to call for six artificial colourings to be removed from food
and drink made in Britain by the end of next year.

The Agency is considering the recommendation that manufacturers
voluntarily remove six of the food additives from their products,
tartrazine, quinoline yellow, sunset yellow, carmoisine, ponceau, and
allura red.

The Southampton study was published in the Lancet last October.