Study Says Red 40 Food Dye in Jell-O, Doritos and More Causes “Striking and Alarming” Disease
New research showed a common red food coloring is harming people’s gut health, increasing their risk of inflammatory bowel diseases.
The study, conducted by researchers out of McMaster University and published this week in the Nature Communications journal, found that the food coloring additive, known as Allura Red, FD&C Red 40, or Food Red 17, can raise the risk of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
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The red dye is often found in candies, soft drinks, dairy products, cereals, and snack foods, including Doritos, multiple brands of jello, and even chocolate pudding and some pickles.
“What we have found is striking and alarming, as this common synthetic food dye is a possible dietary trigger for IBDs,” said Waliul Khan, the study’s senior author, in a statement. “This research is a significant advance in alerting the public on the potential harms of food dyes that we consume daily.”
The researchers studied a group of mice, which were said to be an appropriate research subject, to see how they reacted to high doses of Red 40 for 12 weeks. Their research specifically analyzed the impact on neuroendocrine intestinal cells, which are linked to gut inflammation, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, dehydration, and bloody stools.
Findings showed the affected mice had higher levels of serotonin and a deficiency in healthy colon bacteria, causing dysregulation of the gut leading to inflammation and ulcers.
“These findings have important implications in the prevention and management of gut inflammation,” Khan said, noting that “further exploration between food dyes and IBDs at experimental, epidemiological and clinical levels” is needed.
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“The literature suggests that the consumption of Allura Red also affects certain allergies, immune disorders and behavioral problems in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,” he added.
Researchers have also noted that Red 40 is considered to be the most prevalent dye used in foods and drinks. It is also found in some cosmetics.
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