Food Additives Are Harming Children |
Family with Children (© Photographer: Pavel Losevsky | Agency: Dreamstime.com)
Researchers from Britain’s University of Southampton have found that some artificial food colorings and other additives can worsen hyperactivity in young children. Tests on more than 300 children showed significant differences in their behavior when they drank beverages containing a mixture of food colorings and preservatives.
An article in the Lancet on the new study conducted by the University of Southampton’s Professor Jim Stevenson and his colleagues states, “Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.”
The researchers also wrote, "These findings show that adverse effects are not just seen in children with extreme hyperactivity (such as ADHD) but can also be seen in the general population and across the range of severities of hyperactivity."
Sodium benzoate is commonly added to popular soft drinks. A previous study linked the chemical to cancer saying that once ingested it combines with vitamin C to form benzene, a known carcinogen. Many nutritionists warn that feeding children diets of heavily processed foods, which are frequently high in fat, salt or sugar, is a recipe for poor health.
We’ve long been wary of the effects of artificial colorings, preservatives and other food additives on the health of children and adults. We urge parents to take a stand and stop purchasing foods that contain these ingredients. One simple rule we've heard is that if you’re having trouble pronouncing an ingredient you probably don’t want you or your children ingesting it.
To read a Reuters article published by Yahoo! on the study cited above go to: Food additives may cause hyperactivity: study
To read the article in the Lancet cited above go to: Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children
To view previous posts on the topic go to:
1. Diet Foods & Drinks a Poor Choice for Young Children
