Too Colourful To Be Healthy: The Hidden Risks Of Synthetic Food Dyes - Part 3

Blue Food Colours   

1. BRILLIANT BLUE (FD&C BLUE NO-1)-   E-133

It is a synthetic food colour. It imparts a bright blue colour to various food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products. Physically, it is an amorphous blue powder soluble in water and glycerol. Chemically, it is derived from petroleum-based aromatic hydrocarbons. It can be combined with Tartrazine (Yellow-5) to produce shades of green for use in the food and cosmetic industries.  It is denoted by the number E-133.

Where is it used?
It is used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Now let's see its uses in detail:

A. Food Industry:   

1. Candies, chewing gum, and other sweets.  
2. Soft drinks, sports drinks.   
3. Some alcoholic beverages.  
4. Cakes, frostings, and other baked food items.  
5. Ice cream, yogurt, and other dairy-based desserts.  
6. Ready to make soups, flavoured water, and various other processed foods.   
7. Cereals, popsicles.  
8. canned or bottled foods like peas. 

B. Cosmetics:   

1. Lipsticks
2. Nail polishes
3. Eyeshadows and Mascaras
4. Skin Cleansers and Masks
5. Lotions and Creams
6. Shampoos
7. Hair Colours
8. Soaps
9. Toothpaste and mouthwash.

C. Pharmaceuticals

For easy identification purposes, Tartrazine is used in various medications to give a yellow, orange, or green hue, such as:   

1. 1. Tablets and Capsules
   2. Syrups

Associated Health Risk Concerns:

A. Behavioural Effects in Children:
According to some scientific studies, there is an increased risk of ADHD-like (Impulsivity, hyperactivity, inattention, decreased focus, irritability, etc.) behavioural changes in children associated with chronic consumption of Brilliant Blue food colour. The mechanisms behind it can be multiple, which include: 

1. Interference with the neurotransmitter levels in the brain.  
2. It interferes with the blood-brain barrier (a protective barrier that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain) and impairs brain function.
3. Increased histamine levels lead to increased inflammation and hyperactivity in children.  
4. Interference with the absorption of essential nutrients important for the overall development of the brain, e.g., Iron, zinc, and magnesium. 

B. Allergic Reactions:  
Chronic exposure to Brilliant Blue colour can trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. It can range from mild, such as hives and skin rashes, to severe or life-threatening, e.g., anaphylaxis. The mechanism behind it can be explained as follows: Molecules of Brilliant blue colour can act as foreign antigens and can either directly activate inflammation-producing white blood cells (Mast cells) or, indirectly, first trigger IgE antibodies, which may further activate the mast cells, causing the release of histamine and the development of a further allergic reaction.  

Buy an alternative mechanism: the molecules of brilliant blue inhibit receptors that control and limit allergic and inflammatory responses within our body.

C. Organ Toxicity:
Chronic consumption of the synthetic food colour Brilliant Blue can lead to potential damage and impaired function of important organs, such as the Liver and kidneys. The mechanisms responsible for this can include:  

1. Inflammatory damage to liver and kidney cells is induced by oxidative stress and free radicals.   
2. Cellular necrosis due to the direct toxic effect of the metabolites of the brilliant blue colour.   
3. This damage to the liver and kidneys manifests as the following symptoms: raised liver enzyme levels, raised serum creatinine, and elevated blood urea levels.

D. Damage to the DNA:
According to some scientific studies, chronic consumption of brilliant blue food colour has been shown to increase the risk of DNA damage in human cells induced by oxidative stress and free radicals (Generated during its metabolism).  

E. Potential for Carcinogenicity:
According to some scientific research, brilliant blue food colour may be carcinogenic due to its potential to damage human DNA in sensitive individuals; it is under further research.

F. Gut Microbiota Disruption: 
Chronic consumption of brilliant blue food colour disrupts the composition of the human gut microbiome (Decrease in beneficial bacteria and an increase in potentially harmful ones) by altering its structure and function. It can affect metabolic pathways and cause persistent, long-term functional and structural changes in the gut. The mechanisms behind this include,  

1. Brilliant blue is neither absorbed nor metabolized by the body; thus, a significant amount reaches our gut and can alter the composition of gut microflora through its direct harmful effects.  
2. It reduces the production of metabolites such as lactate and butyrate, which are necessary for the growth of beneficial bacteria. Thus, indirectly reduces their number and alters the composition.  

G. Potential for Lingual Mucosa (Lining of the mouth) Absorption:
The Brilliant Blue colour can easily be absorbed through the inner mucosal lining of the mouth (lingual mucosa). It especially occurs with products like lollipops and hard candies that have prolonged contact with the tongue. By this absorption, it bypasses the gut and enters the bloodstream directly, thereby increasing the potential for harmful effects, e.g., allergic reactions, in sensitive individuals. 

2. INDIGO CARMINE (BLUE NO-2)-   E-132:
A synthetic food colour to impart a deep blue shade to various food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products. Physically, it is a dusky purplish-blue powder soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. Chemically, it is a sulfonated derivative of Indigo. It is denoted by the number E-132.

Where is it used?   
Sunset yellow or yellow no. 6 is a synthetic food colour used in various foods, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products to impart an orange-yellow shade; let's understand its uses in detail:

A. Food Industry:   

1. Hard candies  
2. Gummies and marshmallows  
3. Chocolates and Icings  
4. Carbonated soft drinks, Sports drinks.   
5. Biscuits, cakes, Pastry, and frostings.  
6. Ice creams, yogurts, desserts  
7. Potato, flour, and starch-based packaged foods like snacks. Chips, etc.

B. Cosmetics:   

1. Eyeshadows, eyeliners, mascara  
2. Skin lotions, skin cleansers  
3. Hair colours, shampoos, and conditioners.  
4. Soaps and body wash

C. Pharmaceuticals:   

It is mainly used as a colourant in the coatings and contents of tablets and capsules, e.g.

1. Antiallergic medications
2. Vitamin capsules
3. Paediatric pain-relieving medications, etc.

Associated Health Risk Concerns

A. Gastrointestinal issues:
Chronic consumption of Indigo carmine colour is associated with gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The mechanism behind this can be multiple, including:

1. Most of the colour consumed remains in the gastrointestinal tract due to poor intestinal mucosal absorption. It can directly irritate the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and cause symptoms.  
2. Indigo carmine is considered toxic for humans, and this toxicity can manifest in the form of gastrointestinal symptoms as mentioned above.     

B. Skin Irritation:
Direct contact of this synthetic food colour with the skin can lead to cellular damage and an inflammatory response, which may manifest as skin irritation.

C. Behavioural changes in children:
Chronic consumption of Indigo carmine can lead to the development of Behavioural changes with ADHD-LIKE symptoms (Inattention, irritability, lack of concentration, insomnia, etc.) in children. The mechanisms behind this can be:

1. Oxidative stress (Generated during indigo-carmine metabolism) induced damage to the brain cells.
2. Disruption of the neurotransmitter, e.g., Dopamine (Crucial for attention and mood regulation), levels and function in the brain.
3. Reduced absorption of some important nutrients vital for brain development and function, e.g., Zinc, Iron, etc.
4. Alteration of gut bacterial flora due to Indigo carmine consumption, which can lead to the disruption of the Gut-brain axis and affect neurological and behavioural function.

D. Allergic Reactions:
Consumption of Indigo carmine food colour can be associated with the development of allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, ranging from mild (e.g., skin irritation, hives/urticaria) to severe (e.g., tongue swelling, breathing difficulty). In extreme cases, a person can even develop anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.   

The Indigo carmine food colour, upon entering our bodies, stimulates specific types of white blood cells, triggering the release of inflammation- and allergy-producing chemicals such as histamine and leading to the development of the above-mentioned symptoms. Severity depends on individual sensitivity and the amount of colour consumed.