گفتار درمانی و توانبخشی پایگاه اطلاع رسانی گفتار توان گستر
ADHD diet: Do food
additives cause hyperactivity
Content provided by MayoClinic.com
I have a son with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). What does the
research say about the relationship between food additives and ADHD
Karen, Ohio
The issue of whether food additives affect children's behavior has long been
controversial. Some research suggests that artificial colorings and
preservatives may be associated with hyperactivity in children. But an
association is not the same as a proven "cause-effect" relationship. There is no
proof that food additives cause attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
ADHD is most likely due to a combination of changes in the structure of the
brain and certain environmental factors
However, a recent study funded by the United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency is
sure to throw more fuel on the heated debate about food additives and
hyperactivity. Researchers tested 300 children between the ages of 3 and 9 years
old. Results published in September 2007 showed varying degrees of hyperactive
behavior in the children after they consumed fruit drinks containing a mixture
of food colorings and preservatives. The additives assessed in the study
included sodium benzoate, sunset yellow, carmoisine, ponceau 4R, tartrazine,
quinoline yellow and allura red. The study was unable to determine which of the
additives may have affected behavior because all of the children were given a
mix
In response to the study, the Food Standards Agency advised parents to monitor
their children's activity and if parents noted marked changes with foods
containing additives, to eliminate these foods from their children's diets. The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued no similar warning
If you think certain foods affect your child's behavior, try eliminating them
for a time to see if it helps. However, diets that are too restrictive may
result in nutritional deficiencies in growing children. So it's important to
talk to your child's doctor before trying a dietary treatment approach to ADHD