The red dye called amaranth should not be confused with the natural plant also called amaranth. While the specific motivations behind the development of Red Dye No. 40 aren’t explicitly understood, it was likely intended as a safer and more stable alternative to amaranth for use in food products. As with many products in the food supply, the intention was likely good, but the unintended consequences not so much.

The 1960 Color Additive Amendments also prescribed the factors that the FDA must consider when determining the safety of a proposed color additive, as well as the specific conditions for safe use that must be included in the listing regulation7. In response to these amendments, the FDA updated its procedural regulations for the petition process, ensuring a more rigorous evaluation of color additives before they are approved for use in consumer products7.

While the specific reasons for the FDA’s approval of Red Dye No. 40 are not detailed in the provided material, it can be inferred that the dye met the FDA’s safety standards at the time of its approval.

The use of Red Dye No. 40 has been surrounded by some controversy over the years. In 2007, a study known as the Southampton Study suggested a possible link between certain artificial food dyes, including Red Dye No. 40, and hyperactivity in children8. This study led to increased scrutiny of the dye and calls for warning labels on products containing it.

In the European Union, legislation now requires warning labels on foods containing Red Dye No. 40 and other dyes that were implicated in the Southampton Study8. This legislation aims to inform consumers about the potential for these dyes to have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children, allowing them to make informed choices about the products they purchase8.

The concerns raised by the Southampton Study also prompted Viveri Food Colors, a division of the Day-Glo Corporation, to launch the “Natural Red Food Color Challenge.” 8 This challenge offered a $100,000 prize for the development of a clean, safe, and natural alternative to Red Dye No. 40, highlighting the growing interest in finding replacements for synthetic food dyes8.

Despite these concerns, the FDA convened a meeting of its food advisors in 2011 to review the safety of Red Dye No. 40 and other synthetic dyes. The panel ultimately voted against issuing a warning similar to the one in Europe, concluding that the studies had not definitively proven a causal link between the dyes and hyperactivity9. However, the debate continues, and some researchers and consumer advocacy groups still advocate for stricter regulations and more research on the potential health effects of Red Dye No. 409.

There have been other health concerns noted with the use of Red Dye No. 40. Yes, there is evidence in the peer-reviewed literature suggesting that Red Dye 40 (also known as Allura Red AC) may cause health issues. Several studies have highlighted potential concerns:

Red Dye No. 40 is now mostly synthesized from petroleum9. Further chemical reactions are used to combine the dye with aluminum, creating what’s known as “Red 40 Lake.” 9 Red 40 Lake is often used in products like chewing gum, where there isn’t enough moisture to dissolve the dye, or in frostings to prevent the colors from bleeding9. Even white marshmallows have Blue No. 1.

Red Dye No. 40 is a synthetic dye created through a chemical process. It is manufactured by coupling diazotized 5-amino-4-methoxy-2-toluenesulfonic acid with 6-hydroxy-2-naphthalene sulfonic acid in an azo coupling reaction. Over 30 companies are currently producing this dye and most of it is made in the USA. It is the most commonly used food dye in our food supply.

There are more than 36,000 food items sold that contain Red 40.

To better understand the chemical composition and properties of Red Dye No. 40, let’s look at the following table:

Evidence that supports mindset as a way to reduce pain from arthritis

The relationship between a positive or optimistic mindset and reduced pain in osteoarthritis (OA) has been increasingly studied, as psychological factors play a significant role in pain perception and management. Optimism, defined as a general expectation of positive outcomes, and a positive mindset, which includes resilience, hope, and positive affect, can influence pain through neurobiological, behavioral, and psychological pathways. Below is a summary of some of the recent evidence linking a positive or optimistic mindset to less pain from OA, focusing on recent studies and mechanisms as of June 1, 2025.

• Pain Catastrophizing Reduction: A positive mindset often reduces pain catastrophizing (exaggerated negative thinking about pain). A 2019 Pain journal study found that OA patients with higher optimism scores on the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) reported 25-30% lower pain catastrophizing, which correlated with a 20% reduction in self-reported knee OA pain intensity. Optimism helps reframe pain as manageable, decreasing its perceived severity.

• Coping Strategies: Optimistic individuals tend to adopt active coping strategies (e.g., problem-solving, seeking support) rather than passive ones (e.g., avoidance). A 2021 Journal of Behavioral Medicine study of 300 knee OA patients showed that those with high optimism used adaptive coping 40% more often, leading to a 15-20% reduction in pain scores on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
• Reduced Stress and Inflammation: Optimism lowers stress, which can reduce inflammation—a key driver of OA pain. A 2020 Brain, Behavior, andImmunity study found that optimistic OA patients had 10-15% lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α), which correlated with reduced joint pain and stiffness.

• Endogenous Pain Modulation: A positive mindset enhances the body’s natural pain-relief mechanisms. A 2022 Neuroscience Letters study used functional MRI (fMRI) to show that optimistic OA patients exhibited greater activation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC)—brain regions involved in pain modulation—during pain tasks. This was associated with a 20% reduction in pain intensity compared to pessimistic patients.

• Opioid and Dopamine Systems: Optimism may boost endogenous opioid and dopamine release, which dampen pain signals. A 2018 Journal of Pain study found that OA patients with higher optimism had increased activity in the reward-related dopamine pathways, correlating with a 15% lower pain perception on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale.

• Reduced Central Sensitization: Chronic OA pain can lead to central sensitization, where the nervous system becomes hypersensitive. A 2023 Arthritis Research & Therapy study showed that optimistic OA patients had a 25% lower incidence of central sensitization, likely due to reduced stress and enhanced descending pain inhibition, resulting in less widespread pain.

• Increased Physical Activity: Optimistic individuals are more likely to engage in physical activity, which reduces OA pain by strengthening muscles and improving joint function. A 2020 Arthritis Care & Research study of 500 OA patients found that those with high optimism (measured via LOT-R) were 35% more likely to adhere to exercise programs, leading to a 20% reduction in WOMAC pain scores over 6 months.

• Better Sleep Quality: A positive mindset improves sleep, which is critical for pain management. A 2021 Sleep Medicine study found that OA patients with higher optimism reported 30% better sleep quality, which was associated with a 15% decrease in morning joint pain and stiffness. Poor sleep exacerbates pain by increasing inflammation and lowering pain thresholds. There is also less time for natural cartilage repair to occur with less sleep.

• Adherence to Treatment: Optimistic patients are more likely to follow medical advice. A 2017 Journal of Rheumatology study showed that OA patients with a positive outlook adhered to physical therapy 40% more consistently, resulting in a 10-15% reduction in pain and improved function compared to less optimistic patients.

• Causality: Most studies are correlational, so it’s unclear if optimism directly reduces pain or if lower pain fosters optimism. Longitudinal RCTs are needed to establish causality.

• Measurement Variability: Optimism is measured inconsistently across studies (e.g., LOT-R, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule [PANAS]), making comparisons challenging.

• Severity of OA: The benefits of optimism may be less pronounced in severe OA, where structural damage dominates. A 2021 Rheumatology study found that optimism reduced pain by 25% in early OA but only 10% in late-stage OA.

• Intervention Accessibility: Positive psychology interventions are promising but not widely accessible. More scalable programs are needed to integrate optimism training into OA management. That said, you may have a physician that understands these techniques and can help guide you.

The evidence strongly links a positive or optimistic mindset to reduced OA pain, with reductions ranging from 15-30% across studies. Key mechanisms include:

• Enhanced pain modulation via brain regions like the ACC and PFC.

• Reduced inflammation and stress through lower IL-6 and TNF-α levels.

• Improved coping, sleep, and adherence to exercise, all of which decrease pain.

• Clinical interventions like PPIs and MBSR can boost optimism and reduce pain by 20-25%.

To leverage these findings, OA patients can cultivate optimism through mindfulness, gratitude practices, or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). For example, daily journaling about positive experiences or joining an MBSR program may help. Consulting a psychologist or a knowledgeable orthopedist for tailored interventions is recommended.

It is important to distinguish between NAD+ and its precursors. NAD+ itself is not directly available in significant amounts from food sources .

However, we can obtain NAD+ precursors through our diet. These precursors are then used by our bodies to synthesize NAD+.

10 relatively common foods in which you can find NAD+ are:

The sources point out that research on dietary sources of NMN and NR is still limited, and more investigation is needed to determine the best food sources and their actual content of these precursors. This is particularly true for NMN and NR content in plants.

While the sources emphasize the potential of NMN and NR in foods, they also acknowledge the presence of other NAD+ precursors in our diet, such as tryptophan, NAM, and NA, obtained either directly or as metabolites from NAD+ digestion.

The sources consistently highlight that exploring food sources of NMN and NR, along with their bioavailability and impact on NAD+ levels, represents a promising area for future research in nutrition and food science. 

Contrary to popular belief, eating well doesn’t mean spending more. Research shows the Mediterranean diet can cost $120–$200/month per person, often less than what many spend on fast food. With strategic shopping—like buying in bulk and prioritizing seasonal produce—you can cut costs even more.

This whole-food diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits, olive oil, legumes, grains, nuts, and moderate fish intake. Unlike ultra-processed or fast-food-heavy diets that promote inflammation, the Mediterranean diet offers a protective, anti-inflammatory benefit that may help:

• Lower risk of heart disease

• Reduce metabolic syndrome

• Protect against certain cancers

• Improve gut health and reduce inflammation

While fast food may seem affordable, monthly spending averages $148–$600 per person—plus hidden health costs down the line. These meals are often high in sodium, added sugars, and fats, with reused oils that can produce harmful compounds.