Although the connection between additives and hyperactivity has long been suspected by those in the alternative health arena, it has long been rejected by mainstream medicine because there was no scientific study to back it up.
The study was done on two groups of children, 3-year olds and 8- and 9-year olds. They were given drinks with various commonly used food colors and sodium benzoate. The control group received drinks with no additives.
The study took place over six weeks. The children receiving the drinks with the additives showed "significantly more hyperactive behavior" and "had shorter attention spans."
As a result of the study, the British Government has advised parents of hyperactive children that cutting out certain additives may benefit their children.
The study reported that sodium benzoate, the only preservative used in the study, "has been linked to cell damage in a previous study and to an increased risk for cancer."
Sodium benzoate is not itself a carcinogen. When sodium benzoate and vitamin C are in the same product, it has been shown previously that benzene may form. Benzene is a known human carcinogen.
Sodium benzoate and artificial colors are not only in fruit drinks frequently given to children and sodas, but they are also often in nutritional beverages promoted as healthy and a source of vitamins and minerals.
If you're giving fruit drinks to your kids, are they getting a little cancer-causing benzene in every sip? If you're taking liquid nutritional supplements are you possibly getting a little cancer-causing benzene in your daily dose?
Go check all of the beverages and liquid nutritional formulas in your home and office and see how many of them contain vitamin C and sodium benzoate. If they do they may contain benzene and you may be drinking a beverage that possibly contains a cancer-causing ingredient.
Healthy beverages for you and your kids include:
- good quality water
- 1 part fruit juice with 2-5 parts water (more water is better)
- herbal tea
- sparkling water, if you have to have that fizz; add a little fruit juice if you want some flavor
The healthiest nutritional supplements are those which are customized to your specific needs.
Find out more about the safety of food additives.
