Study links hyperactivity in children with food additives

According to a report published in The Lancet online on 6 September 2007, researchers at the University of Southampton have found evidence of increased hyperactivity in children who consumed certain artificial food colours and the preservative sodium benzoate. The University's Schools of Psychology & Medicine detected the behavioural change in a group of 153 three year old and 144 eight year old children, some of whom showed significantly more hyperactive behaviour after receiving the additives with increased movement, impulsivity and inattention. Professor of Psychology, Jim Stevenson, who led the research, said: ‘We now have clear evidence that mixtures of certain food colours and benzoate preservative can adversely influence the behaviour of children. There is some previous evidence that some children with behavioural disorders could benefit from the removal of certain food colours from their diet. We have now shown that for a large group of children in the general population, consumption of certain mixtures of artificial food colours and benzoate preservative can influence their hyperactive behaviour. ‘However parents should not think that simply taking these additives out of food will prevent all hyperactive disorders. We know that many other influences are at work but this at least is one a child can avoid.’