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Behavioral responses to artificial food colors
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 28, 1980
Summary
Artificial food colors can trigger adverse behaviors in some children. A double-blind study found that a blend of seven artificial colors provoked behavioral changes in two out of twenty-two children, confirming previous research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Behavioral Science
- Food Allergy Research
Background:
- Dietary interventions are crucial for managing behavioral issues in children.
- Artificial food colors are common additives with suspected links to adverse effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a blend of artificial colors on young children's behavior.
- To confirm previous findings on artificial color challenges in a controlled setting.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 22 children on a restricted diet.
- Intermittent challenge with a mixture of seven artificial food colors.
- Parental observation used as the primary outcome measure for behavioral responses.
Main Results:
- One child exhibited a mild behavioral response to the artificial color challenge.
- A second child, a 34-month-old female, displayed a dramatic increase in aversive behaviors.
- Two children out of 22 showed significant behavioral changes.
Conclusions:
- The study provides further evidence supporting the link between artificial food colors and adverse behavioral reactions in susceptible children.
- Results align with and reinforce findings from prior controlled investigations in this area.