Hyperactivity Increased by Sodium Benzoate

It seems that the Food and Drug Administration isn’t doing its job. There have been numerous studies that prove artificial food preservatives and additives are hurting our children. But the FDA refuses to conduct its own research studies, or ban these additives from our foods.

Sodium Benzoate is another preservative that causes hyperactivity in our children. If more parents would actually eliminate foods that contain all of these additives from their children’s diet, instead of drugging them up, their children would be a lot healthier.

Many children today drink a lot of sodas, which contain sodium benzoate, not to mention high fructose corn syrup. Kids should not be allowed to drink sodas! They’re fattening and increase hyperactivity.

When used in foods with high acidity, the sodium benzoate combines with the acids to form benzene, which is a carcinogen. There are enough health risks out there without adding the foods we eat, don’t you think?

A research study published in the Lancet, a British medical journal, illustrates that drinks containing food colorings and the preservative Sodium Benzoate nearly double children’s hyperactivity levels. The study used approximately 300 children in two age groups: 3-year-olds and 8-9-year-olds.

Some of the children were given drinks with amounts of dyes and Sodium Benzoate contained in a typical British child’s diet; the second group was given drinks with a lower concentration of the two additives; the third group was given drinks with no colorings or Sodium Benzoate.

Teachers and parents (who did not know which children were drinking which drinks) were given different rubrics to determine their levels of restlessness, concentration, fidgeting, talking and interrupting.

These tests revealed that children in both age groups given the drinks with the colorings and Sodium Benzoate had significantly increased hyperactivity levels.

Here are some other foods that may contain sodium benzoate that you should check the labels before you buy:

• McDonald’s BBQ Sauce
• Salad dressings
• Jelly, Jam and other spreads
• Fruit juices
• Syrup
• Sports & energy drinks
• Flavored water
• Mixed dried fruit
• Canned fish
• Sweet treats & cakes
• Dessert toppings