It amazes me that while there have been several studies that have demonstrated the connection between artificial food colors and attention deficit disorder (ADD) in children, so many parents continue to give there children these cereals loaded with artificial colors such as Cap’n Crunch, Trix, Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms and Apple Jacks.  Honestly I gave these cereals to my kids when they were young, but in my defense I just didn’t know how bad they were then.  Now that I am older and hopefully much wiser I don’t give them to my grand- kids. The last thing I want is hyperactive grand-kids especially when I watch them.

It seems everyone today knows someone who has been diagnosed with ADD. According to the National Center of Health Statistics Centers an estimated 3.3 million children (6%) had Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).  Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), a developmental neurobehavioral disorder, has become the number one childhood medical condition in the United States. Since its identification in 1980 ADD has grown exponentially and now between 3-5% of the world’s population under the age of 19 have been diagnosed with ADD. Is it possible this disease is increasing at this rate because of what we are feeding our children?

These artificial colors aren’t just in cereals they’re also in junk food and sodas. Caramel food coloring is a frequent additive to many commonly consumed soft drinks as well as other food and beverage products.  In one study conducted by the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, caramel food coloring was shown to diminish immune system function which could alter the body’s ability to fight off infection and even cancer.  Some salmon farms actually add red food dye to their salmon to make them appear more appetizing. It works. When looking for fish a customer always wants the freshest they can buy.  A pink/red salmon is much more appealing to eat than one that’s gray or just darker.

Another artificial food coloring is Carmine. Carmine is literally made from dried, ground-up red beetles, and its coloring (bright red) is used in yogurt, juice drinks, candies, and a long list of other products, including many “natural” products.  When I read this fact I really couldn’t believe it, so I went to the grocery store and checked the yogurt labels myself.  Sure enough it said colored with carmine. My only thought then, was yuk!

Perhaps if more of us knew the sources of many  artificial food colorings we might think twice before using them. Food colors are made from petroleum. Cars run on petroleum not the human body. When we run out of gas in our car, do we stop and put a hamburger in our gas tank?

Why If Artificial Colorings Are So Bad Do We Continue To Use Them In Our Food?

The simply reason as always is money.  Companies recognize that it is a cheap way to add an appealing color that they know will influence the consumer’s perception of taste.  Adding food coloring can also make food look “fresher” and more appealing, thus increasing sales.

Petitions To Ban The Use Of Chemicals And Dyes

There have been petitions to ban these chemicals and dyes, but most of them still remain on the market. According to Science News, artificial food coloring ingredients (food dye) contain plenty of chemicals.  Many are derived from highly toxic sources and can cause many different diseases, disorders,and mutations in humans. As consumers we need to start insisting that natural food colorings available such as vegetable dyes and spice extracts such as Tumeric be used in our food.

Avoiding artificial food colorings is just one more step that we can all take in order to achieve the health we deserve. With the coming holidays, take time to think about the artificial food colorings you usually add to the frosting of those Christmas cookies.