Prescrire International 2009: Artificial food colouring and hyperactivity symptoms in children

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Prescrire International, 2009. Oct; 18(103): 215 (no author listed)

In a health assessment of artificial food dyes, Prescrire International, a non-profit organization providing information and continuing education for healthcare professionals, considers the hypothesis that artificial food dyes worsen hyperactivity symptoms in children:

ABSTRACT QUOTES:

(1) A hypothesis has been proposed that artificial food colourings have a role in exacerbating hyperactive behavior in children;

(2) A placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover clinical study in 297 children representative of the general population showed higher hyperactivity scores during the periods when they were ingesting food colourings;

(3) A meta-analysis of 15 double-blind clinical trials that evaluated artificial food colouring in children already considered to be hyperactive showed an increase in their hyperactive behavior;

(4)  In practice, even though the mechanism underlying this phenomenon has not been elucidated, these data suggest that it is best to avoid exposing children to artificial food coloring.  

MY COMMENT:  Logical and reasonable conclusion!!  Is there any more to say?

MedLine

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