What Is Artificial Food Coloring Doing to Our Brains?
A Mom’s Perspective from the Dye-Free Side of the Fence
I’ve always been cautious about what goes into my kids’ bodies. From the beginning, we’ve chosen real foods, kept artificial dyes off our grocery list, and leaned toward organic and homemade whenever possible. I wasn’t trying to be extreme—I just wanted to protect their growing brains and bodies.
But every year, without fail, certain holidays would hit us like a storm.
Easter. Halloween. Birthday parties with neon cupcakes and mystery-colored punch.
Despite our usual clean diet, those were the days when my normally calm, content kids would spiral. One would be bouncing off the walls, another would suddenly melt down over the smallest thing, and bedtime? Forget it. They were restless, anxious, and couldn’t settle. I knew it wasn’t sugar alone—because we enjoy sweets at home too, just made with simple ingredients.
The common denominator? Artificial food dyes.
What Are Artificial Food Colorings, Really?
Artificial dyes are synthetic chemicals made from petroleum—yes, the same stuff used in motor oil and asphalt. They’re added to foods solely to make them more visually appealing, especially to kids. But for many families, the trade-off just isn’t worth it.
What These Dyes Do to Our Kids’ Brains and Bodies
Even though we avoided them most of the time, those holiday exposures were enough to reveal just how powerful and disruptive these dyes can be. Here’s what science has shown:
Red 40 (Allura Red AC)
• Where it’s found: Candy, gummies, yogurts, sports drinks
• What it does: Linked to hyperactivity, emotional outbursts, sleep disruption, and difficulty focusing.
• The research: A 2007 study in The Lancet found Red 40 contributed to increased hyperactive behaviors in children—even those without ADHD.
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
• Where it’s found: Chips, cereal, baked goods, lemonade mixes
• What it does: Can cause mood swings, anxiety, and behavior issues. Known to affect sleep quality.
• The research: Studies show that Yellow 5 may alter behavior and cause DNA damage in animals. In children, it’s been linked to restlessness and irritability.
Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)
• Where it’s found: Cheese snacks, soda, sauces, candy
• What it does: Associated with increased aggression and overstimulation in sensitive children.
• The research: Linked to adrenal and kidney tumors in animal studies and banned in several European countries.
Blue 1 & Blue 2
• Where they’re found: Frosting, cotton candy, slushies, ice cream
• What they do: May interfere with brain development and cross the blood-brain barrier. Linked to behavior problems and immune system disruption.
• The research: Animal studies suggest neurotoxic potential and possible links to brain tumors.
Green 3
• Where it’s found: Candy, gelatin desserts, mint-flavored treats
• What it does: Associated with bladder tumors in rats and rarely used today in Europe.
• The research: Still approved in the U.S., despite studies showing concerning results in animals.
Our Family’s Policy Today
After a few too many post-holiday emotional crashes and sleepless nights, we drew a hard line: no more bringing home candy from parties, community events, or trick-or-treating. Our kids still enjoy the festivities—they dress up, play games, and get surprises—but the candy gets swapped for clean, dye-free alternatives we provide ourselves.
And you know what? They’re totally on board now.
They know how those dyes make them feel. They remember how they couldn’t sleep, or how they snapped at each other over nothing. They want to feel good—and they know real food helps them do that.
From One Mom to Another…
If you’re just beginning to notice these patterns, trust your instincts. You’re not imagining it. These dyes are known to impact behavior, mood, focus, and sleep—and for some kids, the effects are intense.
I’m grateful we chose a dye-free lifestyle from the start, but even brief exposures made the effects crystal clear. Now, we focus on what matters: protecting our children’s bodies and brains, not appeasing marketing gimmicks dressed in bright colors.
Real food doesn’t need fake color.