A food ingredient commonly used in candies, soft drinks, dairy products, and some cereals to enhance the appearance and appeal to children has been found to potentially cause bowel diseases.

The results of new research are alarming and suggest that this commonly used synthetic food dye may be a dietary trigger for inflammatory bowel diseases. This study represents a significant step forward in informing the public about the potential dangers of the food dyes that we consume on a daily basis.

According to researchers at McMaster University, long-term consumption of Allura Red food dye may be a potential cause of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In experimental animal models, the team found that continuous exposure to Allura Red AC damaged gut health and contributed to inflammation.

The food dye was found to directly disrupt the function of the gut barrier and increase the production of serotonin, a hormone and neurotransmitter found in the gut. This change in serotonin levels leads to alterations in the composition of gut microbiota, increasing the risk of colitis.

According to Khan, Allura Red, also known as FD&C Red 40 and Food Red 17, is commonly found in candies, soft drinks, dairy products, and some cereals. This food dye is used to add color and texture to these products, often in an attempt to appeal to children.

Over the last several decades, the usage of artificial food colors like Allura Red has grown considerably, but there hasn’t been much prior research on how these colours affect gut health. In Nature Communications, Khan and his colleagues revealed the results of their research. First author is Yun Han (Eric) Kwon, a recent PhD graduate working in Khan’s lab.

This work “demonstrates significant harmful effects of Allura Red on gut health and identifies gut serotonin as a critical factor mediating these effects,” says senior author Khan, adding, “these findings have important implication in the prevention and management of gut inflammation.”

“What we have found is striking and alarming,” he remarks, “as this common synthetic food dye is a possible dietary trigger for IBDs. This research is a significant advance in alerting the public on the potential harms of food dyes that we consume daily.”

The findings of the study suggest, according to him, “that the consumption of Allura Red also affects certain allergies, immune disorders and behavioural problems in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.”

IBDs, according to Khan, are severe, long-lasting inflammatory disorders of the gut that impact millions of individuals all over the world. While the exact causes of inflammatory bowel diseases are not yet fully understood, research has shown that imbalances in gut microbiota, genetic factors, environmental triggers, and dysregulated immune responses can all play a role in the development of these conditions.

In recent years, researchers have made significant progress in identifying genetic susceptibility factors and understanding the role of the immune system and host microbiota in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases. However, similar advances in identifying environmental risk factors have been slower to emerge, according to Khan.

Khan said that the normal Western diet, which consists of processed fats, red and processed meats, sweets, and a lack of fiber, is one of the environmental factors that might cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). He continued by saying that a lot of artificial colors and flavors are also included in the typical Western diet and in processed foods.

The study, according to him, suggests that there may be a connection between a commonly used food dye and inflammatory bowel diseases, and further research is needed to examine this relationship at the experimental, epidemiological, and clinical levels.

Source: 10.1038/s41467-022-35309-y

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