Food Additives and Hyperactivity: Is There a Link?

Take a peek into a typical family's kitchen and you'll be blinded by a rainbow of food colors: yellow sports drinks, green applesauce, pink cereals and neon ice pops. How many of these colors are in your kitchen?

Parents, it's time to take notice. These common foods and drinks are packed with food dyes and preservatives and some of them may not be healthy. A study in the British medical journal Lancet confirms that certain food additives can cause hyperactivity in some kids.

Children's behavior linked to their diet
The Lancet study involved two groups of children from socially mixed preschools and grade schools. None of the kids, ages 3 and ages 8 to 9, had known sensitivities to foods.

For seven weeks, researchers gave the children drinks containing the preservative sodium benzoate and dyes common in soda, candy and ice cream. The younger children were given amounts equal to what's in a single serving or two of candy. Slightly higher amounts (two to four servings) were given to the older children. Drinks without any additives were given to others.

Parents and teachers were not told which child received which drink. After the children drank their juice, researchers asked parents and teachers to report on the behavior of each child. The results? Children drinking the juice with additives became slightly more hyperactive and more easily distracted than the other children. Scientists say this study strengthens the link between hyperactivity and food additives. There are still questions, though, about which additives are the culprits.

Plan a kitchen raid
Be alert to any changes in behavior that occur after your child eats or drinks something. In light of the Lancet study, parents should re-think what foods and drinks they serve to children.

1. Wean your cabinets of foods with artificial ingredients when possible.
• Look for "artificial coloring" or "U.S. certified colors" on labels. Often, they are listed by number, such as Red 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Red 40.
• Cut back on sodium benzoate, found in many fruit and soft drinks; fruit preserves and jellies; and margarine.
2. Stock up on foods with no preservatives.
• Most large grocery stores have a natural foods section with plenty of choices. You don't need to shop in a health food store.
• Real fruit juices and gelatin desserts or ice pops made with fruit juice are good substitutes.
• If your child must have a sweet cereal, opt for a whole-grain brand with honeyed oats or sweetened whole-wheat flakes.
• Read labels to check for additives. Another clue: if the food is a bright color, avoid it.
3. Color yourself with fruits and vegetables.
• Aim for a more natural "rainbow" of colors. Choose red and green apples; orange carrots and peppers; yellow grapefruit and bananas; purple grapes and blueberries.
• Make a pink shake by blending a banana and unsweetened frozen strawberries with low-fat milk.

What your child eats is something you can manage. Remember that most foods packed with preservatives and food dyes are depleted of nutrients. Your child, hyperactive or not, will benefit from eating a diet free of artificial ingredients.

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External Source McCann D, Barrett A, Cooper A, et al. 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. The Lancet. September 6, 2007.

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