Why Banning Red Dye Number 3 Won’t Solve Our Real Health Crisis
Jake Louro is a master trainer and wellness coach with two decades of experience helping clients achieve their health and fitness goals. He holds multiple certifications personal training, nutrition, and life coaching, and is dedicated to empowering individuals to live their best lives.
If I had a dollar for every DM I received over the last week from someone celebrating the ban on Red Dye number 3, I’d have about $14. Ok, so maybe not enough to retire, but you get the point. Many regard the ban as a major win for public health, believing that removing this single additive from the food supply will somehow lead to dramatic improvements. First and foremost, I applaud anyone who cares enough about their health, or the health of others, to take a stand.
Yet, when we compare the minimal risk posed by trace amounts of this dye to the overwhelming dangers of obesity and inactivity, it becomes clear that focusing on one “boogeyman” ingredient is nothing more than a distraction from the enormous mountain we must climb to positively affect the health of ourselves and our loved ones.
Did anyone actually read the study? I glanced. It didn’t take long to see: A) It was done on rodents, and B) These rodents were given a ridiculous amount of this stuff. Like, so much that at that dose, almost anything would kill you. Even water.
According to the study, you’d need to consume 14 million times the average daily intake of Red Dye number 3 every day for 19 weeks to raise tumor risk. The question is, at 14 million times the average consumption, what wouldn’t kill you? Even so, social media is rife with triumphant posts about finally vanquishing a “toxic” enemy.
Honestly, as a guy trying to grow his socials, it’s tempting to just jump on the bandwagon. These people roll deep, and it seems to me to be a quick way to gain a following. But then again, that would make me a giant asshole. While all this victory flag waving is happening in the social media world, America ranks among the most overweight and least fit populations in the world. This reality, as I will prove below, poses FAR greater threats to long-term health.
I’m not an expert on food additives, but I am an expert in fat loss, fitness, and nutrition. Over the past 20 years, I’ve helped hundreds of people lose fat, get in shape, and improve their health. (Read more about what we do here.) The core principles remain:
Regular exercise
Calorie awareness
Meeting essential nutrient needs, such as protein and fiber
Consistency over time
No single dye ban can even come remotely close to compensating for a lack of these fundamental habits.
Here’s some of the data. Real data. Done on actual human beings (not rats). And it’s shocking. I’ve been looking at data like this for two decades, and I still say “Wow” whenever I read it again. This is only a tiny fraction of the studies done on this subject.
Being fat is literally killing you
Even if you’re a healthy weight, having a low level of fitness is also killing you
These are sobering numbers. Please understand, I’m sensitive to how difficult it is for so many to make the necessary changes. I am sympathetic to the emotional side of weight gain. I know better than most that it isn’t easy. The bad news is that being careless with your nutrition and fitness is killing you. The good news is that even a slight improvement in your fitness can help dramatically.
I understand why focusing on a single “boogeyman” is so appealing. It’s far simpler to eliminate one ingredient and hope your health will improve rather than tackle the harder realities of consistent exercise, balanced nutrition, and habit change. But the truth is, real health improvements require effort. You can accept that, slip into your favorite Lululemon leggings, and begin the journey of improving your health, or you can bury your head in the sand until the next “magical solution” claims the social media spotlight.
The bottom line is that banning Red Dye number 3 isn’t going to fix the nation’s overarching health problems. If we’re serious about preventing disease and promoting longevity, we must focus on the fundamentals:
Regular physical activity
Calorie-controlled, nutrient-dense eating
Adequate fiber intake
Forming lasting, healthy habits
So, yes, caring about the ingredients in your food is commendable. But let’s not mistake a manufactured victory for the main event. Being overweight and out of shape is conclusively linked to astronomical increases in health risks, far more than any single additive.
Make no mistake: if you want real change, it’s about lifestyle, not a one-step ban. If you aren’t sure where to start or how you could possibly make the needed changes, hit us up. This is what we do!
Read more from Jake Louro
Jake Louro, Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach
Jake Louro is a dynamic fitness and wellness expert, driven by his passion for helping others achieve transformative health outcomes. With a wealth of experience spanning two decades, Jake specializes personal training, nutrition and life coaching. Through his personalized approach and extensive knowledge, he empowers individuals to unlock their full potential and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. Explore Jakes articles to discover practical insights and strategies for reaching your health and fitness goals.
