Recent research shows that long-term consumption of Allura Red (AR), a commonly used synthetic color additive, may trigger inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colitis.
Also known as Red 40, AR is one of nine Synthetic color additives approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in foods. Manufacturers prefer synthetic dyes to natural dyes extracted from animals and plants because they cost less, provide more vibrant and consistent color, and don’t introduce unwanted flavors.
In a study published in Dec. 20″ Nature Communication, scientists at McMaster University in Canada studied the impact of AR exposure on gut health. Using an experimental animal model, they found that chronic consumption of the dye could cause mild intestinal inflammation in mice.
“The dye directly disrupts gut barrier function and increases the production of serotonin, a hormone/neurotransmitter present in the gut, which subsequently alters the composition of the gut microbiota, leading to increased susceptibility to colitis,” the authors said. scientists in a press release. Press release.
For the study, scientists looked at the effects of several most widely used food colorings on serotonin production, including AR, Brilliant Blue FCF, Sunset Yellow FCF and Tartrazine Yellow. Although these dyes all promoted serotonin secretion, AR was found to have the most pronounced effect.
The scientists then moved on to feed groups of mice different diets for 12 weeks. One group was fed normal food as a control; another was fed AR-infused food daily; and the other received AR-infused food just one day a week. The amount of AR added to their diet was calculated based on levels deemed acceptable for humans.
When colitis was induced by exposure to a chemical seven days after feeding, scientists found that the group of mice that occasionally consumed AR – most similar to the pattern in humans – did not had not become more vulnerable to colitis. However, mice that ate AR-infused food for 12 consecutive weeks developed mild colitis.
The same effects were also seen in mice when the AR was added to water instead of food, according to the study.
To further investigate the effect of early exposure to RA, the scientists performed another controlled experiment by feeding 4-week-old mice standard or RA-infused chow for 14 weeks. As a result, they found that young mice exposed to AR developed mild colonic inflammation, with genes regulating antimicrobial responses being less actively expressed.
“This is particularly important because synthetic colors are a convenient and inexpensive alternative for food manufacturers to make foods even brighter and more appealing to the customer, especially young children,” they noted in the statement. study.
Waliul Khan, lead author of the study and a professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at McMaster, said the results should alert consumers to the potential harms of food additives.
“What we found is striking and alarming because this common synthetic food coloring is a possible food trigger for IBD,” Khan said. “This research is a significant step forward in alerting the public to the potential harms of the food colorings we consume daily.”
“The literature suggests that Allura Red consumption also affects certain immune disorders and behavioral allergies in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,” he added.
It has long been suspected that exposure to synthetic food dyes at a young age may cause ADHD. According to the California government’s 2021 review (pdf) scientific studies over the past decade, the consumption of synthetic food colorings, including AR, has caused hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in at least some children.
AR is present in a wide range of foods and beverages, including cereals, dairy products, pudding, candy, chewing gum, soda, energy drinks and confectionery.
Bill Pan is a reporter for The Epoch Times.
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