My youngest son recently had to take a quick round of Doxycycline as a prophylactic for a tiny deer tick.  Although we swear by our DIY Essential Bug Spray as a preventative measure, it can take us a few weeks to get in the habit of spraying every time before we go outside.  It happens every year, but we’ve always avoided deer ticks, until now.

Though I found it while spraying his arms with magnesium before bed, we didn’t know how long it had been there.  I hated to give him a round of antibiotics especially because, at least while in my care, he’s never been given a prescription.  But I am not messing with Lyme Disease!

What’s super frustrating to me is that the pharmacy did not have a dye-free option, not even with needing to order the prescription.  We’ve had this issue in the past, so I had the pediatrician send the script to a different pharmacy this time, hoping for a better outcome.  Big fat fail.  I don’t understand why this is still an issue given all the yucky stuff that’s associated with artificial food dyes.  Not only are they made with petroleum byproducts and other impurities, research has documented plenty of unhealthy side effects to go along with ingesting food dyes.

They’re added to processed foods (and kids’ medicine!) to make them look prettier and more appealing, but they provide no positive nutritional value.  In small occasional doses, they’re generally regarded as safe (GRAS).  But given that many Americans consume a diet that’s 70% processed foods, that adds up to a lot of dyes because they are in everything.  The main artificial food dyes can be found on processed food packages labeled as Red 40, Red 3, Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Blue 2.  Here are some of their health concerns raised by scientists:

• The ADHD/hyperactivity link is the main reason my family originally switched to a dye-free diet.  Though some scientists downplay the link between ADHD/hyperactivity and food dyes, Dr. Feingold and countless other researchers have executed studies that overwhelmingly support the connection.  Many parents can share anecdotal stories about behavior improvement when switching to a dye-free diet as well. (source 1, source 2, source 3, source 4, source 5, source 6)
• Another 1994 study found a link between Yellow 5 and irritability, restlessness, and disrupted sleep in children aged 2-14 years.
• This 2015 study found that artificial dyes derived from petroleum can lead to immune responses, potentially provoking autoimmune conditions.
• A 1974 study determined that eliminating petroleum-based food dyes improves large skin rashes with red or purple blotches.
• A September 2012 study found that Red 3 causes cancer in animals, and Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 have been discovered to contain benzidine, a known carcinogen.  The study also revealed that Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 cause hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions.  Additionally, Yellow 5 causes genotoxicity, which can lead to cell mutations and eventually cancer.
• A September 1999 study found that Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 can be contaminated with the carcinogen, benzidine.
• Another study found an increased incidence of tumors in animals when combining multiple artificial food dyes at a time, a practice that can often be found in many processed food products.
• Yet another study found that Red 40 produces physical and behavioral toxicity in rats, including reduced reproduction, lower brain weight, and overall lower survival.
• The Center for Science in the Public Interest published a document outlining the carcinogenic concerns of multiple food dyes.  Additionally, the study noted many other effects of artificial food dyes, like organ damage, birth defects, and allergic reactions.  The authors also demonstrated hyperactivity and behavior concerns in children with a combination of dyes, but also with Yellow 6 alone.
• A 2012 study concluded that Yellow 6 is a xenoestrogen, which is a hormone disruptor that has estrogen-like effects.  Xenoestrogens have been implicated in many adverse health effects, including exacerbation of hormone-related health concerns (like breast cancer).
• A 1988 study found a link between Red 3 and thyroid cancer.
• A 2016 study discovered a potential link of Blue 1 to negative affects of the nervous system, increased inflammation, and development of cancer.
• A March 2013 study found that food dyes reduce red blood cell count and glutathione levels (which is needed for proper detoxification).
• Some research has found an increase in brain gliomas and breast cancer in rats when fed Blue 2.
• A 1978 study found an increased allergic response to food dyes.
• A 2017 study found negative health effects in response to Tartrazine (Yellow 5), including changes in liver and kidney cells, DNA damage, and lower antioxidant levels.

Convinced yet?

I could keep linking studies, but hopefully I’ve made my point.  There are lots of issues with artificial food dyes.  Though I don’t necessarily want to convince everyone to go cold turkey and immediately stop buying processed foods with dyes, I do think it’s extremely important that we know what’s in our food, especially for our children who are more susceptible to the negative effects.  By being aware of the issues, we can make better choices for our families.