I've been putting this post off for awhile now. I put a lot of time and research into my informational posts, so they don't happen all too often, but I hope you find them interesting and helpful.
In addition to trying to stay away from gluten, dairy, and sugar; I also try to stay away from foods that contain artificial ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and colors. Today we're talking dyes!
The most common type of dye you will find in food is Red #40. Sadly it is also referred to "coal or tar dye" because that is what it's made from; petroleum that has been refined over and over so that your body can "process" it. I've quoted "process" because this dye (among others) causes some major health issues like tumors and lymphomas. It has also because a very controversial issue among children with ADHD. In a nutshell, kid's brains absorb about 50% of what they eat and food not only fuels your body, but your mind. The dyes in food get absorbed into the brain and can the immune system (lymph nodes, as stated above), neurotransmitter functions and other ways that have yet to be discovered. Seriously, google "red dye and ADHD" and you will be surprised at how much comes up. Another interesting point is that red #40 is banned in Canada and Europe. So if it's not okay in other countries, why is it ok in ours? Oh yeah, we're cheap!
Other commonly used dyes:
1. Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue) – an unpublished study suggested the possibility that Blue 1 caused kidney tumors in mice. Used in baked goods, beverages, desert powders, candies, cereal, drugs and other products.
2. Blue #2 (Indigo Carmine) – causes a statistically significant incidence of tumors, particularly brain gliomas, in male rats. Used in colored beverages, candies, pet food and other food and drugs.
3. Citrus Red #2 – it is toxic to rodents at modest levels and caused tumors of the urinary bladder and possibly other organs. Used in Skins of Florida oranges.
4. Green #3 (Fast Green) – caused significant increases in bladder and testes tumors in male rats. Used in drugs, personal care products, cosmetic products except in eye area, candies, beverages, ice cream, sorbet; ingested drugs, lipsticks and externally applied cosmetics.
5. Red #3 (Erythrosine) – recognized in 1990 by the FDA as a thyroid carcinogen in animals and is banned in cosmetics and externally applied drugs. Used in sausage casings, oral medication, maraschino cherries, baked goods and candies.
6. Yellow #5 (Tartrazine) – this causes sometimes-severe hypersensitivity reactions and might trigger hyperactivity and other behavioral effects in children. Used in pet foods, numerous bakery goods, beverages, dessert powders, candies, cereals, gelatin desserts and many other foods as well as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
7. Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow) – caused adrenal tumors in animals and occasionally causes severe hypersensitivity reactions. Used in color bakery goods, cereals, beverages, dessert powders, candies, gelatin deserts, sausage, cosmetics and drugs.
I don't want to overload you with lists, so for more information
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