Preservatives in Food and Child Behavior

According to the American Psychological Association, one in five school-age children have been diagnosed with Attention Hyper Deficit Disorder, or ADHD, a disorder characterized by hyperactivity and difficulty with impulse control. In the late 1960s, scientists first began examining the link between food additives and hyperactivity in children.

  1. 1970s Findings

    • Allergist Ben Feingold first suspected a link between food and hyperactivity in the early 1970s, when an elimination diet he prescribed to treat allergies had the side effects of improving behavior and attention. In the Feingold Diet, participants eliminated salicylates, artificial colors and flavors, Aspartame and the preservatives BHT, BHA and TBHQ. In 1974, Feingold felt confident enough in his findings to publish a book based on his research titled, "Why Your Child is Hyperactive."

    Infamous Preservatives

    • Although the jury is still out, TBHQ, BHA and BHT are suspect offenders in the world of food preservatives. Interestingly enough, they're all petroleum based. According to research available at Feingold.org, TBHQ caused liver enlargement and convulsions in laboratory animals and BHA and BHT may have carcinogenic -- or cancer-causing -- properties. These preservatives are found in foods such as cereals, crackers, meats and gum.

    Not-So-Pretty Colors

    • Brightly colored cereals, lollipops and soft drinks look appealing to kids, but their beauty is only skin-deep. In Europe, manufacturers are required to add warning labels to foods containing the dyes Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Yellow 10, Red 3, Red 7 and Red 40. The warnings read: "... may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." The United States has adopted no similar course of action.

    Use of Stimulants

    • The stimulants Ritalin and Adderall are often prescribed to treat disorders such as ADHD, but the side effects may be worse than the disease. Common side effects include changes in appetite, nervousness and raised blood pressure. If your child has chronic difficulty sitting still, focusing or following instructions, talk with his pediatrician about altering his diet before turning to drug therapy. While convenience foods may not be the only culprit at work, they may account for at least a portion of the problem.

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