When you walk through the supermarket it is easy to pick out what foods are manufactured for children. They are usually fun shapes, and fun colors to attract the attention of children. Since these foods are targeted for our children, one would hope they would be healthy choices that please both the parent and the child. Even though there are many natural coloring agents, or natural food dyes, most companies use artificial food color dyes to save money.
In the United States companies will use artificial food color dyes in their products, but in the U.K. the same companies will color their products naturally using natural food color dyes. For example, in America the famous cola soda producer, makes a red colored soda that is colored with Red 40 and Yellow 6. In the U.K. that same soda manufacturer uses natural products like pumpkin and carrot extract to obtain the red color in that same beverage. Likewise, the golden arched fast food company's strawberry sundaes are colored with Red 40 in the U.S., whereas in the U.K. real strawberries are used (Common Dreams).
While saving money is fine, there are some significant health effects as a result of the chemistry of food dyes and artificial coloring, especially for the target consumers, our children who will use that food the most.
The artificial food color dyes in food has been shown to have a significant effect on hyperactivity in children, and isn't restricted to affecting those with ADHD. In a study that involved 153 three year old children, and 144 eight to nine year olds, researchers found that children given the drink containing sodium benzoate and one of two artificial food color dyes and additives had a significant effect on the children's global hyperactivity aggregate (Nordqvist). This becomes especially problematic in the school performance of children as it bleeds onto children's abilities to excel in many areas of academic performance. Schools that have experimented with removing all junk food have seen landmark improvement in student behavior and academic performance simply by making healthy choices and serving additive-free lunches and snacks.
While children may beg and plead for the superbly marketed additive-filled children's foods, for their own sake it's best to avoid them. If your regular supermarket doesn't carry alternative options, health foods stores will often carry children's foods that are naturally colored with natural food dyes. This way they are getting the visual stimulation of the artificially colored foods without the adverse effects. With the constantly rising rates of ADHD, we may need to look closer at what is causing this behavior. If this challenge to our children's learning can be avoided naturally, by making healthy food choices instead of treatment with harmful drugs, maybe laying off the favorite cartoon fruit snack is worth it. Nature also provides some pretty colorful foods. Whenever possible make healthier choices and choose natural foods.
References:
"Brits Get Treats, Americans Get Tricks From Food Companies, Says Nutrition Action
Healthletter." Common Dreams. 22 Oct 2008. Common Dreams. 24 Jul 2009 < http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2008/10/22-12 >.
Nordqvist, Christian. "Childhood Hyperactive Behavior Exacerbated by Food Additives and
Artificial Color." Medical News Today (2007)
Barb Hughesian, creator of HealthyChoices4Life.com, offers useful suggestions to help you develop a healthier lifestyle, one step at a time. To find more tips on healthier eating, better nutrition, toxin reduction, weight loss and more visit http://www.healthychoices4life.com
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