The connection between artificial food dyes and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been studied for decades. Here's what the science shows.

The Research

The Feingold Hypothesis (1973)

Dr. Benjamin Feingold first proposed that artificial food additives, including dyes, could cause hyperactivity in children. His "Feingold Diet" eliminated all artificial colors and flavors.

The Southampton Study (2007)

The most influential study was published in The Lancet by McCann et al. It found that two mixtures of artificial food colors plus sodium benzoate significantly increased hyperactivity in the general population of children — not just those diagnosed with ADHD.

Meta-Analyses

A 2012 meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry found a statistically significant effect of artificial food dyes on ADHD symptoms, with an effect size of about 0.30 — comparable to many accepted medical treatments.

Which Dyes Are Most Problematic?

Studies have focused particularly on:

What Parents Can Do

  1. Try an elimination diet — Remove artificial dyes for 2-4 weeks and monitor behavior changes
  2. Read labels carefully — Look for Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Red 3, Green 3, and Titanium Dioxide (label reading guide)
  3. Use DyeFreeCheck — Scan product barcodes to instantly check for dyes
  4. Choose natural alternatives — Many brands now offer dye-free versions
Many parents report significant behavioral improvements after removing artificial dyes, even in children without an ADHD diagnosis. The effect appears strongest in children who are already sensitive to these additives.

Going Further: Clean Up the Whole Pantry

If you're removing artificial dyes from your child's diet, consider removing seed oils too — another processed food additive that wasn't in the food supply before 1900. Origin Recipe has seed oil free kids snack recipes that skip both dyes and inflammatory oils.