The Effects of Artificial Food Dyes on Children's Brains

By Lois Thomson

It has taken years for some parents to connect the dots and realize that their child's behavioral problems are linked with food dyes. In an effort to determine the cause of their son's problems, one family tried eliminating certain foods from his diet. After removing gluten, dairy, and food containing artificial food dyes, the issues stopped. Then the parents started to reintroduce some of those foods, and they learned that things remained fine with dairy and gluten. However, the food dyes brought back the behavioral symptoms.

Reinforcing the parents' findings, an analysis in Environmental Health Journal reported that 16 of 25 studies showed a definite link between artificial food dyes and behavioral issues. If that is even partly true, why are they used? Their only purpose seems to be to make foods more attractive. For example, some foods that may contain dyes include:

• Candy

• Cereal

• Crackers

• Granola bars

• Processed cheese

• Marshmallows

• Deli meats

• Fruit snacks

If you think artificial food dyes may be having a negative effect on your child, make a point to read food labels carefully before making a purchase.