Observations placeholder
Artificial food colouring and ADHD
Identifier
005657
Type of Spiritual Experience
None
Background
This observation is not about spiritual experience but I wanted to add it as support for the other findings about the links between ADHD and Artificial food colourings.
I have also supplied a link with ADHD treatments as one of the treatments is clearly to stop eating food and drink containing artificial food colouring
A description of the experience
Nutr Rev. 2013 May;71(5):268-81. doi: 10.1111/nure.12023. Epub 2013 Mar 13. Mechanisms of behavioral, atopic, and other reactions to artificial food colors in children. Stevens LJ, Kuczek T, Burgess JR, Stochelski MA, Arnold LE, Galland L. Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA. stevens5@purdue.edu
This review examines the research on mechanisms by which artificial food colors (AFCs) and common foods may cause behavioral changes in children with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Children with ADHD show excess inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Studies have shown that a subgroup of children (with or without ADHD) react adversely to challenges with AFCs.
Many early studies found few children who reacted to challenges with 20-40 mg of AFCs. However, studies using at least 50 mg of AFCs showed a greater percentage of children who reacted to the challenge. Three types of potential mechanisms are explored: toxicological, antinutritional, and hypersensitivity.
Suggestions for future studies in animals and/or children include dose studies as well as studies to determine the effects of AFCs on the immune system, the intestinal mucosa, and nutrient absorption.
Given the potential negative behavioral effects of AFCs, it is important to determine why some children may be more sensitive to AFCs than others and to identify the tolerable upper limits of exposure for children in general and for children at high risk.
© 2013 International Life Sciences Institute.
PMID: 23590704