Popular Snacks Made of Petroleum-Based Chemicals Linked with Allergies, ADHD, and Cancer

Many foods contain chemical food dyes to improve their color or taste. These synthetic chemicals are often made of petroleum and also have various other suspicious substances. 

Food dyes aren’t just present in candies and cereals, but in many other foods that you would never think of like baked goods, soda drinks, etc.

Some studies have associated artificial food dyes with ADHD and allergies. In research published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, food dyes were found to have a lot of impurities. 

For example, the Yellow 5 coloring had up to 13 percent of organic and inorganic compounds. One of the major reasons why these food colorings are so present in foods is because they make foods more appealing.

According to the American Chemical Society, in the US, 70 percent of all the food that’s consumed is processed. And, many of these foods contain food dyes so that their flavor, taste, and appearance are more attractive.

Red dye 40 is another common synthetic color additive. This is the one linked with allergies and ADHD. Kids may be more sensitive to its effects than others. This dye is made from petroleum too. It’s approved by the FDA for use in foods and drinks. 

Food manufacturers often use synthetic food coloring more than natural options due to them providing a more uniform result without unwanted flavors. Plus, they’re less expensive. 

Snacks Made of Petroleum-Based Chemicals Linked with Allergies, ADHD, and Cancer

Red dye 40 is present in plenty of foods and drinks. Here are the major ones:

  • Candy
  • Gelatin
  • Confections
  • Chewing gums
  • Protein powder
  • Energy and sports drinks
  • Soda drinks
  • Cereals
  • Dairy products

You can check if a food or a drink has this coloring by checking the list of ingredients. Although the amount isn’t revealed, manufacturers are obliged to list the ingredients by weight. 

This coloring may be written under other common names, like E129, Red 40 Lake, Allura Red AC, Red 40, CI Food Red 17, etc.

The Link Between Red Dye 40 & ADHD

According to research done with animals and humans, synthetic color additives, like this one, are associated with symptoms of ADHD, as well as with other neurobehavioral conditions.

Back in 2011, the FDA noted that color additives made artificially have no negative side effects. But, research done since has found that it triggers symptoms of ADHD, especially in kids.

According to scientists, this artificial dye and other ones may be linked to changes in behavior due to depleting minerals that are essential for growth and development like iron and zinc, and by causing chemical changes in the brain and hypersensitivity.

The main symptoms of hyperactivity in kids are poor focus, inability to sit still, too much movement, unable to wait one’s turn, interrupting conversations, no sense of danger, and fidgeting. 

In adults, this behvarior manifests through excessive talking and restlessness.

Sources:

MEDICAL NEWS TODAY

HEALTHY & NATURAL WORLD