Artificial Food Colors as Enhancers of Hyperactivity in Children

Essay , 2014 , 7 Seiten , Note: 2,0

Gesundheit - Ernährungswissenschaft

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, short ADHD: Who has not yet heard this term, especially when it comes to children? Over the last decade the number of children diagnosed with this disease has risen significantly (in the United States from 7.8% in 2003 to 11.0% in 2011. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). But although this diagnosis becomes more and more common, there is still a lot that we do not know about its causes and right treatment. Not only does the right medication help to guarantee children a normal development, but research also found out that the right diet can have a positive effect on the symptoms of hyperactivity. Artificial food colors in particular have been named again and again in this context. This essay focuses on the most important research concerning the field of artificial food colors and their impact on children with hyperactivity: There are several studies which suggest a link between an increase of hyperactive behavior and certain artificial food colors, and while some countries have already taken steps to remove the tested colors from child nutrition, others still deny their potential danger. This shows how important a more thorough investigation of this topic is and that the restrictions concerning artificial colors in food for children should be revised everywhere.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, short ADHD
• Artificial food colors in particular have been named again and again in this context.
• One of the first researches on the effects of artificial food additives on hyperactive children was Dr. Benjamin Feingold's study in the early 1970ies.
• Nevertheless, Feingold's method soon met many critics, whose studies refuted his rigid program.
• This task was undertaken by many researchers until, in 2007, the Southampton study provided results that were significant enough to cause the British government to ban artificial food colors from the British market (Kanarek, 2011, p. 389).
• But as well as the critics of the Feingold study – this research also clarifies that hyperactivity cannot be cured or necessarily be lessened by eliminating the tested substances from children's diets.
• Nonetheless, not all institutions admit that artificial colors are a problem.
• Besides, the FDA even comments on the findings of researches on food additives and their effects on children diagnosed with ADHD: According to the FDA homepage the studies undertaken until 2007 do not “substantiate a link between the color additives that were tested and behavioral effects" (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2010).
• The statements on the FDA homepage, though, contain certain inconsistencies.
• Also, we have to ask ourselves, if the actions taken by the EFSA are actually enough or if the British government did the right thing.
• In summary, we have seen that from the early 1970ies on research on the effects of artificial food colors on children with ADHD has changed and developed.

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This essay focuses on the most important research concerning the field of artificial food colors and their impact on children with hyperactivity. The essay aims to analyze the evidence linking artificial food colors to hyperactive behavior in children, highlighting the key studies and their findings. It also explores the contrasting perspectives of different institutions, such as the FDA and EFSA, on the potential dangers of artificial food colors.

• The link between artificial food colors and hyperactive behavior in children.
• The impact of artificial food colors on children diagnosed with ADHD.
• The contrasting perspectives of different institutions on the potential dangers of artificial food colors.
• The importance of further research on the effects of artificial food colors on children.
• The need for stricter regulations and guidelines regarding the use of artificial food colors in children's food.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The essay begins by introducing the topic of ADHD and its increasing prevalence, highlighting the importance of understanding its causes and effective treatments. It then delves into the history of research on artificial food colors and their potential impact on hyperactive children, starting with Dr. Benjamin Feingold's study in the early 1970s. While Feingold's "elimination diet" gained initial popularity, subsequent research challenged its effectiveness, suggesting that while certain food additives might have negative effects on ADHD patients, a complete elimination diet is not necessarily the solution. The essay then discusses the groundbreaking Southampton study in 2007, which provided significant evidence linking certain artificial food colors to increased hyperactive behavior in children. This study led to the British government banning artificial food colors from the British market. However, the essay also acknowledges that the Southampton study, like the Feingold study, does not claim that eliminating artificial colors completely cures or significantly reduces hyperactivity. Despite this, the findings are alarming enough to raise concerns about the potential dangers of artificial food colors. The essay then explores the contrasting perspectives of different institutions, such as the FDA and EFSA, on the issue of artificial food colors. While the FDA denies a negative effect of artificial colors and emphasizes their importance in food manufacturing, the EFSA, based on the findings of the Southampton study, has adjusted the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for certain artificial dyes. The essay concludes by highlighting the need for further research on the effects of artificial food colors on children and the importance of stricter regulations and guidelines regarding their use in children's food.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include artificial food colors, ADHD, hyperactivity, children, food additives, research, Southampton study, Feingold study, FDA, EFSA, regulations, and guidelines. The text explores the potential link between artificial food colors and hyperactive behavior in children, examining the evidence from key studies and the contrasting perspectives of different institutions. It emphasizes the need for further research and stricter regulations regarding the use of artificial food colors in children's food.

• Hochschule: Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
• Note: 2,0
• Autor: Sebastian Kerski (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2014
• Seiten: 7
• Katalognummer: V286415
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656865865
• ISBN (Buch): 9783656865872
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: artificial, food, colors, enhancers, hyperactivity, children