This popular food dye could be triggering IBD in children, scientists warn

Hamilton, Ontario — As if there weren’t good reasons to keep children away from junk food as much as possible, new research suggests that some products may be linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Researchers at Canada’s McMaster University warn that common food dyes intended for children can cause her IBD.

Increasingly common food coloring Allura Red AC Used to add color and texture to sweets, soft drinks, dairy products, and some cereals. But new animal studies show that dyes can disrupt the intestinal barrier, impair gut health, promote inflammation, and influence the development of his IBDs, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. One thing became clear.

Researchers say that by breaking down the intestinal barrier, Allura Red AC increases the amount of serotonin produced. Doing so changes the composition of the gut microbiota, making people more susceptible to colitis.

Professor Wariul Khan of McMaster University in Canada said the disturbing findings are an important advance in public health. “We have identified gut serotonin as a key factor mediating these effects,” he explained in a statement.

“These findings have important implications for the prevention and management of intestinal inflammation,” he continues. Our findings are both surprising and alarming, and the study is an important advance in alerting the public to the potential harm of the food dyes we consume every day. Allura Red consumption has also been suggested to affect certain allergies, immune disorders, and behavioral problems in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.”

Professor Khan said IBD is a serious chronic inflammatory condition of the gut that affects millions of people worldwide. The exact cause of the disease is not fully understood, but research suggests that it may be caused by dysregulated immune responses, genetic factors, imbalances in the gut microbiota, and environmental factors.

Significant progress has been made in recent years to identify how genes are susceptible to IBD and to understand the role of the immune system and host microbiota. But Professor Khan says research lags when it comes to investigating environmental risk factors.

Environmental triggers include a typical Western diet consisting of processed fat, lean and processed meat, sugar, and lack of fiber. The results of this study warrant further investigation of the association between food coloring and IBD.

The research is published in the journal Nature Communications.