What you need to know about artificial dyes.

Artificial dyes have been used as a marketing tactic by food companies for decades. The more colorful the cereal, the more likely a child (or adult for that matter) will want it. They provide absolutely no nutritional value and do not enhance the taste of food, although they are typically found in foods with high sugar content. 

Scientists studied the effects of artificial dyes several decades ago and there was a lot of suspicion that they were linked to ADHD. The studies were ultimately inconclusive. In more recent years interest had once again peaked about the effects of artificial dyes on our health, especially in children. In one recent study of children with ADHD, 75% saw improvement in symptoms when artificial dyes were removed from their diet. Though they still have not been able to say with 100% certainty that artificial dyes are a cause of ADHD, the data would suggest that it is a contributing factor to this complex disorder. There are also studies that suggest a link between dyes and certain types of tumors. 

So if they have no nutritional value, do not enhance the taste of food and are potentially (very likely) harmful to your health, why are they still allowed in our food? Actually, many countries around the world have already banned the use of artificial dyes, and other countries require food companies to put warning labels on food containing dye. Labels very similar to those found on alcohol and cigarettes in the United States. It just doesn’t seem worth the risk to consume these chemicals on a regular basis for adults or children with growing and susceptible brains. 

When you think of artificial dyes you probably think of candy, cupcake frosting, cereal, gushers, sports drinks, etc. but artificial dyes are found in so many other foods that you wouldn’t expect. The ones that were the most shocking to me were pickles and medicine. Having to buy dye-free medication just seems like an insane concept. And pickles? Why? What value does it provide to put a potentially harmful chemical in these things? The answer is none. 

As you are on this journey to making better choices it doesn’t have to look like a $10,000-overhauling everything at one time-type of transition. It can look like reading a few labels next time you go to pick out a snack or treat to check for Blue 1, Yellow 6, Red 5 and so on. Buying a dye-free version of medicine sitting right next to the one you would normally buy. Or ordering plant-based food coloring packets to make frosting with for your holiday baking! Look for things that are not unnaturally colorful or that are naturally colored with beet juice, spirulina, turmeric, etc.. 

Helpful hint - dyes are banned from organic food! Buying organic guarantees the absence of artificial dyes.