What’s a person to do when they’ve eliminated all the big allergens—gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts—and they’re still having mysterious symptoms that seem to be aggravated by their diet? Maybe you’re that person. You’ve tried Primal, AIP, and low-FODMAP diets, but you still have recurring issues with your gut, skin, or energy levels. Or, you frequently experience nausea or GI distress after meals even after eliminating the most obvious potential triggers. When it’s not one of the big players giving you grief, think smaller. Sometimes those items farther down the ingredient list are the real culprits. I’m talking about the things that food manufacturers add to their products to improve texture, appearance, and shelf stability. They’re considered safe for consumption (in the U.S., though not necessarily in other countries, as you’ll see), but these sneaky little buggers might be making you unwell nonetheless. Here are some things to look out for if you’re having persistent health issues that you suspect are tied to something you’re eating. Red Dye and Other Artificial Food Coloring Granted, Primal eaters probably aren’t consuming large quantities of foods loaded with artificial coloring agents. Still, they are pervasive in the American food supply. You’ll also find them in medications and supplements, sometimes at alarmingly high levels. Even at high-end grocers and health food stores, they’re hard to avoid. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently allows Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 3, Red 40, Citrus Red 2, and Orange B in foods at approved levels. However, scientists and public health officials have known for decades that each of these carries potential health risks, especially the red and yellow dyes. The FDA banned Red 3 (aka erythrosine or E127) in cosmetics and other topical applications in 1990 based on studies showing increased thyroid cancer risk, but it is still approved as a food colorant. Yellow 6 (aka tartrazine or E110) and Red 40 (aka Allura Red AC or E129) require warning labels or are banned altogether in several countries due to concerns about their possible carcinogenic effects and their effects on children. They also happen to be the most prevalent artificial food colorings in the U.S. The first time I heard about food dyes affecting kids was years ago when a friend told me she couldn’t give her daughter any food or juice that had red dye in it. As she described it, just a few pieces of candy or a piece of sheet cake with brightly colored frosting at a birthday party, and her normally sweet kid would be bouncing off the walls. It turns out that’s not so uncommon. Multiple studies have concluded that food dyes may contribute to hyperactivity and other behavioral problems, especially in kids with preexisting ADHD symptoms. The FDA reviewed the clinical evidence ten years ago and decided it wasn’t conclusive enough to act on. A 2018 review published in Pediatrics, the official publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics, renewed the call for more … Continue reading “6 Food Additives That Might Be Giving You Trouble”
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