Types

• Several types of substances and chemicals have been associated with hyperactivity in children. They include sugar, caffeine, artificial colorings and preservatives. In addition, some people have found that eliminating foods such as eggs, milk and wheat may improve hyperactive symptoms because these foods are common food allergens.
  
  

Feingold Diet

• The Feingold diet is a popular diet that claims to improve hyperactive symptoms by eliminating salicylates, preservatives, colorings and artificial flavorings. According to the National Resource Center on ADHD, several studies have shown this diet to mostly ineffective. However, a very few children with food sensitivities benefited from the diet.
  
  

Elimination Diet

• Another popular diet for those with hyperactivity is the elimination diet. It begins with a period when only certain foods are allowed. The allowable foods are unlikely to be an allergen or hyperactivity trigger. Then, new foods are added one at a time to see if behaviors change. If hyperactive behavior is noticed when a new food is introduced, it may be beneficial to eliminate that food permanently.
  
  

Research

• According to the Mayo Clinic, most research has not proven that food additives such as colorings and preservatives cause hyperactivity. However, a 2007 study conducted by the United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency found that fruit juice containing additives and food coloring triggered hyperactivity in children. The substances in the juice given to the children included sunset yellow coloring, quinoline yellow coloring, allura red coloring, tartrazine, ponceau 4R, carmoisine and sodium benzoate. However, the scientists were unable to pinpoint which of the specific substances triggered hyperactivity.
  
  In addition, research has also not proven that sugar causes hyperactivity either. The National Research Center on ADHD asserts that the elimination of sugar does not reduce ADHD symptoms.
  
  

Solution

• While research is still contradictory on the effects of food additives and food allergens on hyperactivity, parents and others may test their own theories by eliminating certain substances from their diets. If eliminating certain substances is beneficial, then it possible that the person exhibiting hyperactivity is sensitive or allergic to a substance or food item. A physician should always be consulted before eliminating food items or drastically changing one's diet.