The dye directly disrupts gut barrier function and increases the production of serotonin, a hormone/neurotransmitter present in the gut, which subsequently alters the composition of the gut microbiota, leading to increased susceptibility to colitis.
Khan said allura red (also called FD&C Red 40 and Food Red 17) is a common ingredient in candies, soft drinks, dairy products and some cereals. Dye is used to add color and texture to food, often to attract children.
The use of synthetic food colorings such as allura red has increased dramatically over the past few decades, but there have been few previous studies on the effects of these dyes on gut health. Khan and his team published their findings in Communication Nature. Yun Han (Eric) Kwon, who recently completed a PhD in Khan’s lab, is the first author.
“This study demonstrates significant adverse effects of allura red on gut health and identifies gut serotonin as a critical factor mediating these effects. These findings have important implication in the prevention and management of intestinal inflammation,” said Khan, lead study author, professor. of the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and Principal Investigator of the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute.
“What we found is striking and alarming, as this common synthetic food coloring is a possible dietary trigger for IBD. This research is a significant step forward in alerting the public to the potential harms of the food colorings we consume daily,” he said.
“The literature suggests that the consumption of Allura Red also affects certain allergies, immune disorders and behavioral problems in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. »
Khan said IBD is a serious chronic inflammatory disease of the human bowel that affects millions of people worldwide. Although their exact causes are not yet fully understood, studies have shown that dysregulated immune responses, genetic factors, imbalances in the gut microbiota, and environmental factors can trigger these conditions.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in identifying susceptibility genes and understanding the role of the immune system and host microbiota in the pathogenesis of IBD. However, similar progress in defining environmental risk factors has lagged, he said.
Khan said environmental triggers for IBD include the typical Western diet, which includes processed fats, red and processed meats, sugar and a lack of fiber. He added that the Western diet and processed foods also include large amounts of various additives and colorings.
He added that the study suggests a link between a commonly used food coloring and IBD and warrants further exploration between food coloring and IBD at experimental, epidemiological and clinical levels.
The study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
