Artificial Colors and Your Brain

I'm sure part of last weekend's 4th festivities included food that was colored red, white, and blue.

But did you know that food colors - specifically Red Dye 40 - has been shown to exacerbate ADD/ADHD.

Red dye 40 is a petroleum-based food dye that is used in tons of well known foods (particularly the processed, unhealthy kinds) such as:

• candy
• condiments
• snack foods
• salad dressings
• fruit bars
• sauces
• beverages
• frozen desserts

Even mouthwash and toothpaste aren't safe!!

And don't be fooled, just because it's called "RED" dye 40, doesn't mean it is only found in foods that are red! The dye can be mixed with other colors to produce a desired color and you'd never know (unless you check the ingredients!)

Consumption of Red Dye 40 has been linked with the following in both children and adults:

• migraines
• jitteriness
• inability to concentrate
• "mind storms" that lead to outbursts, depression, panic attackes, etc!

So, my tip today is to READ THE INGREDIENTS (although the better approach would be to minimize or completely eliminate all processed foods). Red Dye 40 goes by more than one name so be on the look out for the following as well:

Allura Red
Allura Red AC
C.I. 16035
C.I. Food Red 17
FD&C Red No. 40
Red 40
Red No. 40