Fake Food = Jumpy Kids?

Researchers at the University of Southhampton, England performed a study of artificial colors and the preservative sodium benzoate where some 300 children drank ordinary fruit juice or mixtures spiked with commercial additives equivalent to two to four snack-size bags of candy. Trained observers, parents and teachers graded the kids on overactive, inattentive and impulsive behavior before and after the six-week trial determining that the additive-laced drinks increased hyperactive behavior by about 10%.

Experts disagree on whether that's a significant rise, however more research will help clarify. In any event, if your child (or yourself) is hyper, consider removing or limiting additives in his/her diet (they're found in everything from candy to salad dressing) and see if it makes a difference.