Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Artificial food additives and the preservative, sodium benzoate, increased symptoms of hyperactivity when given to a population of (153) 3 –year and (144) 8-9 year old children. The amount of artificial food colorings and sodium benzoate consumed daily by children in this study was equivalent to consuming 2 bags of sweets for the 3 year olds and up to 4 bags of sweets for the 8-9 year olds.

Infant and Children's HealthIt has been suggested that artificial food colorings and food additives affect the behavior of children 1,2. The main change in behavior is described as being overactive, impulsive, and inattentive, in other words, hyperactive 1. A recent meta-analysis confirmed that artificial food colors and additives do affect the behavior of children with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). But more information was needed in the general population without ADHD and in a wider age range 1. Recent research found artificial food colors and additives result in increased hyperactivity in 3- year-olds and 8/9-year-olds 1.

The children were randomly given fruit juice Mix drink A or B, then the alternate after a washout period:

  • 3-year-olds -Mix A: (20 mg artificial food colorings, 45 mg sodium benzoate)
  • 3-year-olds -Mix B: (30 mg artificial food colorings, 45 mg sodium benzoate)
  • 8/9-year-olds -Mix A: (24.98 mg artificial food colorings, 45 mg sodium benzoate)
  • 8/9-year-olds -Mix B: (62.4 mg artificial food colorings, 45 mg sodium benzoate)

*For the 3-year-olds, Mix A & B were equivalent to about 2 bags of sweets per day. For the 8/9-year-olds, Mix A was equivalent to about 2 bags of sweets per day and Mix B was equivalent to about 4 bags of sweets per day.

Week 1, all children received a placebo. Weeks 2, 4, and 6, the children received either fruit juice drink Mix A or B. Weeks 3 and 5 were a washout period on the placebo 1.

Of the 153 3-year-old children enrolled, 79 were boys and 74 were girls. All the children taking Mix A had significant adverse effects on the Global Hyperactivity scales compared to placebo (0.20[95% CI 0.01-0.39]; p=0.044), in contrast to mix B which was not significant (P=0.093).

Of the 144 8/9-year-old children, 75 were boys and 69 were girls. The 8/9-year-old children showed significant adverse effects with both Mix A (0.12 [95%CI 0.02-0.23]; p=0.023) and Mix B (0.17[95% CI 0.07-0.28]; p=0.001) when analyzing children that drank at least 85% of their drinks on the Global Hyperactivity scales 1.

In conclusion, food colorings and food additives had a negative effect on hyperactive behavior from young to middle childhood aged children. This is of note, since hyperactivity is associated with educational challenges, especially with reading 1,3. These new findings show the adverse effects are not just seen in children already diagnosed with ADHD but also in the general population 1.

Source: Donna McCann, Angelina Barrett, Alison Cooper 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. www.thelancet.com Published online September 6, 2007 DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61306-3 

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted January 5, 2017.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health.  She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at  www.awarenesswellness.com.

References:

  1. 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. 2007;370(9598):1560-1567.
  2. Overmeyer S, Taylor E. Annotation: principles of treatment for hyperkinetic disorder: practice approaches for the UK. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 1999;40(08):1147-1157.
  3. McGee R, Prior M, Williams S, Smart D, Sanson A. The long‐term significance of teacher‐rated hyperactivity and reading ability in childhood: findings from two longitudinal studies. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2002;43(8):1004-1017.