Benjamin Feingold, a pediatric allergist at that time, proposed that artificial colors could trigger hyperactivity in children. His idea gained popularity and led to numerous studies being done.
Although the FDA operates with an “innocent until proven guilty” stance, some companies did pledge to switch over from dyes to natural ingredients; unfortunately though most let their self-imposed deadlines pass without meeting them.
1. Avoiding Processed Foods
Artificial dyes are used in processed food to add vibrant hues. Unfortunately, however, these artificial colors have been linked to numerous health concerns including hyperactivity in children and allergic reactions. With greater public awareness about Red Dye 40’s potential risks being more widespread, many consumers are opting for packaged goods without it.
At least there are plenty of natural alternatives to processed food and drinks without artificial dyes and colors available today. Focusing more on whole ingredients, like fruits, vegetables and grains when it comes to your own meals can greatly decrease exposure to synthetic dyes.
Avoiding processed food can not only benefit your health but can help eliminate some of its worst culprits such as excessive salt, sugar, and fat content – known to contribute to various debilitating diseases.
2. Check the Label
Modern diets contain many processed food products that contain artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners – some of which have been linked to hyperactivity and ADHD symptoms in children.
When purchasing food products, aim for those without artificial dyes, sweeteners or preservatives – checking the label can be the most efficient way.
The FDA requires food and supplement manufacturers to disclose any artificial colors added, with Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 being among the three most frequently used artificial colorings. Unfortunately, they have been linked with hyperactivity, allergies and cancer among other health impacts and add no nutritional value to our foods – so these chemicals have been placed on Thorne’s “No List” as we avoid their inclusion into any of our products.
3. Eat Raw Foods
Follow a raw food diet can be an excellent way to increase your vegetable and fruit consumption. The concept behind the diet is that when food is processed further, its nutrients become depleted, so eating food unprocessed provides more nutrition than ever. Some individuals follow it strictly while others may include cooked items from fermentation processes that use microorganisms instead of heat to soften plant cell walls which makes their nutrients more bioavailable. It’s important to listen to what works for your body when considering any long-term changes – don’t force anything on yourself!
4. Avoid Nuts & Seeds
Artificial dyes are petroleum or crude oil derived chemical substances created in labs to brightly color foods and beverages marketed toward children – including cereal boxes, mac-and-cheese dishes, candy and more. While artificial dyes do not add any nutrition benefits they do appear frequently on kid-oriented food packaging and products marketed specifically toward them.
Consuming these chemicals can alter body proteins and cause various immunological reactions in humans, such as allergies, hyperactivity and behavioral changes such as mood swings and tantrums.
Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 synthetic dyes have been linked with numerous genotoxicity studies and may even induce mutations of chromosomes. Furthermore, they have also been linked to ADHD among children as well as creating other health concerns like eczema, allergies, asthma and ear infections.
