Funviralpark A small study in laboratory mice found that frequent and long-term exposure to dyes (also known as FD&C Red 40 and Food Red 17) impairs gut health and promotes inflammation. is suggested.
recently published Nature Communicationsa study found that the additive directly disrupts the intestinal barrier (which helps prevent bacterial invasion) and increases the production of serotonin, a hormone and neurotransmitter found in the gut. , this response alters the gut microbiota and increases susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease.
Dr. Wariul Khan, senior author of the study, who studies gastrointestinal inflammation at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, said:
“This study is an important advance in alerting the public to the potential harm of the food dyes we consume every day,” Dr Khan added in a press release.
In a 12-week experiment, 6 mice were fed a daily control diet without pigment and 6 mice were fed a similar diet with pigment. Khan and his collaborators observed an association between exposure to red light and impaired gut microbiota, which caused mild intestinal inflammation.
In addition, mice exposed early in life were found to have a “high susceptibility” to colitis, or inflammation of the large intestine.
In another experiment, researchers exposed six mice intermittently to Red 40 only once a week for 12 weeks. The authors of the study noted that intermittent consumption of the dye was “similar to typical human exposure” and had no effect on susceptibility to intestinal inflammation.
FD&C Red 40 food dye has long been suspected of being a health hazard
This latest study contributes to growing evidence suggesting that Red 40 may be harmful to your health. As far back as the 1970s, health officials warned that the ingredient could pose a public health hazard. of new york times.
One of the most common concerns about artificial food dyes is their behavioral impact on children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, eliminating artificial food dyes from the diet of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may reduce symptoms.
Major public health groups have concluded that the amount of chemical dyes in the average diet is too low to pose a threat. The US Food and Drug Administration has also approved Allura Red AC for human consumption.
The recommended daily intake should not exceed 3.2 milligrams per pound of body weight. For someone weighing about 130 pounds, a 32-ounce bottle of Fruit Punch Gatorade would be about 10% of her daily limit, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PDF).
Red dye is widely used in processed foods. Food manufacturers use it in candies, snacks, sodas, soft drinks, cereals, seasonings, ice cream, baked goods, fruit juices, and cosmetics.
What Causes Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
The exact cause of IBD is still not fully understood, Khan said, but several factors may play a role, including imbalances in the gut microbiome, disruption of the immune system, and environmental factors. emphasized.
According to Khan, environmental factors for IBD include a typical Western diet that includes a lack of processed fat, lean and processed meat, sugar, and fiber. He added that Western diets and processed foods also contain large amounts of various additives and dyes.
Based on the results of this study, Khan suggested that further investigation into the association between commonly used food dyes and IBD is warranted.
