Recent research shows that long-term consumption of Allura Red (AR), a commonly used synthetic color additive, could trigger inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and colitis.
Also known as Red 40, AR is one of the nine synthetic color additives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food. Manufacturers prefer synthetic dyes over natural ones extracted from animals and plants because they cost less, provide a more vivid and uniform color, and don’t introduce unwanted flavors.
In a study published on Dec. 20 in Nature Communications, scientists at McMaster University in Canada investigated the impact of exposure to AR on gut health. Using an experimental animal model, they found that chronic consumption of the colorant could cause mild intestinal inflammation in mice….