Can artificial pigments cause ADHD in children?

To make food more attractive, food manufacturers often use a variety of natural or synthetic food colors to dress up their products. However, for artificial food coloring such as sunset yellow and temptation red, people are always difficult to rest assured. There are many reports that the intake of artificial pigments can cause behavioral disorders and ADHD in children, affecting mental development. Are these food additives really harmful to children's health?

Controversial research

Health disputes about synthetic pigments have been around for a long time. In the 1970s, a pediatrician named Benjamin Feingold first declared that children's behavior was related to food coloring. Since then, relevant research and various viewpoints have also emerged. In 2001, Iwate University discovered DNA damage when feeding pregnant mice with tempting red foods [1]. In 2004, researchers at Columbia University conducted a meta-analysis of previous studies on pigmentation and children with ADHD. The results showed that there was a correlation between synthetic pigment and ADHD [2]. However, it is worth noting that the sample size of the study included in this paper is quite small (there are usually only a few dozen subjects, and some even less than 10 in each group). Such research data is far from sufficient.

In 2007, the research team at The University of Southampton published the results of a double-blind randomized controlled trial in the Lancet journal. The researchers studied 153 3-year-old children and 144 children aged 8-9 years. They randomized the children and allowed them to drink A and B beverages containing artificial colors and preservative sodium benzoate, respectively. Control drink without these ingredients. The results showed that children who drank beverages containing artificial additives showed more hyperactivity and inattention than the control group [3]. The researchers speculated that these pigments and preservatives may increase the risk of ADHD in children.

A large number of media have reported on this research, and many reports have used such amazing titles as "pigmentation can make children's intelligence decline." The report caused panic and confusion among the people. Many people began to worry that artificial food coloring such as lemon yellow, sunset yellow, and temptation red would be harmful to children's health. Some environmental protection and children's organizations therefore requested the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to limit pigmentation. Use and modify the safety limit ADI values of these pigments. The US Center for Public Interest Science (CSPI) also submitted an application to the FDA requesting the FDA to ban eight pigments.

However, this influential research actually has many problems. The study used two complex mixtures of additives (four artificial pigments in each study beverage except for sodium benzoate), but lacked an assessment of the single component, so it was not possible to determine the results of the test. Which ingredients are caused. Although children with artificial pigments had statistically significant differences compared with the control group, their ADHD scores were not really different. The study could not prove that the difference between the two groups was really meaningful. In addition, the results of the study in the 3-year-old group and the 8- to 9-year-old group also lacked consistency.

What does the authority say?

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) pointed out in its assessment of the safety of artificial colors that, given the limitations of the study, it is not sufficient as evidence to modify the daily allowable intake (ADI) of these additives. After synthesizing data from all parties, EFSA believes that there is no evidence that these pigments affect children's intellectual development. In addition, although laboratory studies have found that artificial pigments cause DNA damage, no carcinogenicity has been found. EFSA also pointed out that children between the ages of 1 and 10 may indeed have higher exposure and safety risks. The European Food Safety Authority believes that supervision should be strengthened to increase the protection of children's health due to careful consideration of children's health [ 4].

In response to the above controversial research, the US FDA also evaluated artificial pigments and children's health issues [5]. According to the FDA, the survey data show that the average artificial food intake of Americans is far below the safety limit. Even if the intake reaches 10 times the national average, it is still below the safety limit, so there is no need to worry about these pigments. Bring health risks. There is currently insufficient evidence to prove that these pigments are associated with ADHD in children. Considering that the amount of processed foods consumed by Chinese people is less than that of the United States, our artificial pigment intake will be even less, so there is no need to worry.

"No added" does not improve children with ADHD

Based on the idea that “artificial additives cause children with ADHD”, some people have tried to prevent and treat children with ADHD through “no added diet”, but later studies have confirmed that this method has no practical effect.

The Faingold doctor mentioned above is the founder of The Feingold diet. As early as the 1970s, he claimed that this recipe without artificial additives could improve the condition of at least 50% of children with hyperactivity and learning disabilities. However, the evidence he supports his own views is only some of the less rigorous clinical observations. In the subsequent controlled studies and meta-analyses, no evidence was found to support the “no added diet” [6].

In summary, although concerns about the safety of synthetic pigments are widespread, there is currently no definitive evidence that it affects children's health or causes ADHD. In fact, countries around the world have strict restrictions on the use and management of food pigments. At present, it seems safe to use natural pigments or synthetic pigments as long as they are used in accordance with standards.

However, considering that many foods using artificial colors are high-calorie snacks such as candy and puffed foods, it is indeed necessary to control the consumption of children. Helping children develop good eating habits, reduce dependence on processed foods, and resist the temptation of various snacks is the direction parents should work hard.