Red Food Coloring and Headaches

Seven in every 10 people suffer from a headache at least once a year, and nearly 45 million people in American suffer from chronic headaches, according to a report from the American College of Physicians. While a number of factors play a role in the development of headaches, people often experience headaches because of food intolerances, such as an intolerance to red food coloring.

Food Coloring Classifications

The Food and Drug Association classifies all food colorings, including red food coloring, as either exempt from certification or certified. Food coloring made from synthetically produced agents are certified, while those made from natural sources are not. Therefore, red dye number 40 and red dye number 3 -- the only synthetic red food dyes endorsed for use by the FDA -- need certification. However, red dyes made from vegetables, fruits and minerals do not need certification. All food additives -- certified or not -- must meet scrupulous safety standards before gaining approval for use in foods.

Red Food Coloring and Headaches

Allergy to Red Dye in Drinks

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The consumption of red food coloring causes headaches in some people. These headaches result because of a food intolerance, not a food allergy 2. A food allergy causes an immune response, whereas a food intolerance does not 2. If you have an allergy to a particular food or food additive, you have a reaction regardless of how much you consume. However, if you have a food intolerance, you may be able to eat limited amounts of the food without suffering a reaction. In addition to headaches, other common signs of a food intolerance include:

• nausea
  
• gas
  
• abdominal cramping
  
• bloating
  
• heartburn
  
• vomiting
  
• diarrhea
  
• irritability

If you experience a headache after consuming a food that you believe contains red food coloring, read the nutrition label to determine what additives it contains and limit your intake of any additive that may create the red color.

Foods Containing Red Food Coloring

The foods containing food coloring typically have very low nutritional value, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest 3. The most commonly used food coloring is Red 40. While some foods still contain Red 3, it was found to produce thyroid tumors in rats and most manufacturers replaced it with Red 40. You may still find Red 3 in a variety of foods, such as fruit roll-ups, chewing gum and cake icing. Read the food label of your food before consuming them to determine if they contain a red food coloring. Common foods containing red food dye include candy, gelatin, cake mixes and soda pop.

Considerations

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Repeatedly experiencing a headache after consuming red food coloring may indicate a food intolerance. However, consult your doctor to eliminate the possibility of any other underlying cause. Other common causes of headaches include vision problems, medications, lack of sleep, skipping meals, excessive stress, menstruation, hormone level changes, smoking, loud noises and long car trips.cause:

• Other common causes of headaches include vision problems
  
• medications
  
• lack of sleep
  
• skipping meals
  
• excessive stress
  
• menstruation
  
• hormone level changes
  
• smoking
  
• loud noises
  
• long car trips