How harmful are food dyes?
How Harmful Are Dyes? The Truth and What to Focus On First
Gut health dietitian breaks it down.
Let me set the scene:
You’re watching a group of kids go from totally chill to absolute chaos in minutes. My friend @meggthompsonbehavior saw it happen, asked the mom what was up, and the answer?
“They just had their Flintstones vitamins.”
Not soda. Not candy. Vitamins.
So what’s going on here?
As someone who lives, breathes, and studies functional nutrition, I can tell you: artificial dyes are… complicated.
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
What the Science Says:
We’re learning more and more about the gut microbiome, and let’s just say: artificial dyes don’t do it any favors. They may confuse your immune system, disrupt good gut bacteria, and leave behind some mildly toxic metabolites (kind of like alcohol — but not as bad).
And yet — our U.S. food regulations haven’t really budged since the 1940s.
There are loud voices out there saying “ban it all!” and others saying “no big deal.” The truth? It’s somewhere in the middle.
Here’s What Matters More Than Dyes:
Before you overhaul your pantry, focus on the big rocks that actually move the needle on your health:
Eat enough fiber.
Move your body every day.
Balance your blood sugar with regular meals and snacks.
Prioritize protein at every meal.
Because listen, our health crisis isn’t just about Red 40 or BHT.
It’s about skipping meals, sitting too much, scrolling past our body’s needs, and acting like bananas are bad for us.
TL;DR?
Dyes aren’t amazing. But stressing over them while ignoring your basic needs? Way worse.
You deserve clear, calm, science-rooted guidance — and that’s what I’ll keep giving you.
Want to hear the full story? Tune into this week’s podcast here.
You aren’t alone, and it’s not all in your head.
I am a registered dietitian helping women get to the root cause of diarrhea, constipation, and bloating so they can have predictable bowel movements.
Schedule a free, 15-minute call here
@womensguthealth on YouTube, Instagram
