The Problem of Artificial Food Dyes
Some of the most common food dyes, even though they are approved for consumption in the USA, are linked with health complications such as allergic reactions, cancer, leaky gut (intestinal permeability), and even autoimmunity.
“During the past 50 years, the amount of synthetic dye used in foods has increased by 500%. Simultaneously, an alarming rise has occurred in behavioral problems in children, such as aggression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).” (2)
The most commonly used dye in America is red 40. Food dyes are present in more foods than you might expect. Beyond processed foods like cereals, popsicles, and beverages, artificial dyes are also found in medications, vape pens, and chewing gum.
Most of these dyes were approved around the 1950s and the FDA has not looked back despite data linking grave health concerns to their consumption. One paper claims that “the inadequacy of much of the testing and the evidence for carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and hypersensitivity, coupled with the fact that dyes do not improve the safety or nutritional quality of foods, indicates that all of the currently used dyes should be removed from the food supply and replaced, if at all, by safer colorings.” (3)
If you're feeling overwhelmed and would like support and guidance around cleaning up your diet, book an appointment with me above to get started.
In Wholistic Health,
Natalie
SOURCES:
1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK216714/
2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25599186/