Is there any evidence that food additives
cause attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a
neurobehavioral disorder in children that is characterized by
inattentiveness, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity (1).
How many children are affected with ADHD?
From 1% to 10% of school-aged children, depending on the
criteria used for diagnosis. (1) A recent study found 3 to 5% of a
school population affected.(2)
What causes ADHD?
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown. There are probably
several factors involved (1,2):
- Genetic factors. Studies of families have found that
children with parents or siblings with ADHD are more
likely to have ADHD.
- Abnormailities in neurotransmitters may be involved
- Central nervous system immaturity or insult is another
possible cause
- Do food additives cause ADHD?
- In 1975, Feingold published his hypothesis that
the elimination of certain food additives from
the diets of hyperactive children can result in
improvement of behavioral symptoms (3).
- 1981: Two studies were published which did not
support Feingold's hypothesis. One study
challenged children who had already been on
Feingold's diet with high doses of color
additives and found no effect, when compared to a
placebo (4).
Another found no effect of violations of the
Feingold diet among children who had been on the
Feingold diet for 3 months (5).
- A 1986 review of studies which evaluated the
Feingold diet concluded that there is no evidence
for a causal association between food additives
and behavioral disturbance in children (6).
- A 1986 review of studies which controverted
Feingold's hypothesis maintained that data from
these studies were interpreted incorrectly, or
that they were flawed in other ways (7).
- A recent study of the food color additive
tartrazine suggested a dose response relationship
between that additive and behavioral disturbances
(not necessarily ADHD) in children (8).
Back to Specific
questions on food additives
Prepared Summer 1997 by Bernadene Magnuson, Ph.D.
University of Idaho, Dept. of Food Science and Toxicology - EXTOXNET FAQ Team.