title: Sodium benzoate-rich beverage consumption is associated with increased reporting of ADHD symptoms in college students: a pilot investigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sodium benzoate, a common additive in popular beverages, has recently been linked to ADHD. This research examined the relationship between sodium benzoate-rich beverage ingestion and symptoms related to ADHD in college students.
  
  
  METHODS
  College students (N = 475) completed an anonymous survey in class in fall 2010. The survey assessed recent intake of a noninclusive list of sodium benzoate-rich beverages and ADHD-related symptoms using a validated screener.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sodium benzoate-rich beverage intake was significantly associated with ADHD-related symptoms (p = .001), and significance was retained after controlling for covariates. Students scoring ≥4 on the screener (scores that may be consistent with ADHD; n = 67) reported higher intakes (34.9 ± 4.4 servings/month) than the remainder of the sample (16.7 ± 1.1 servings/month).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that a high intake of sodium benzoate-rich beverages may contribute to ADHD-related symptoms in college students and warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: 1Benedictine University, Lisle, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Bonnie L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Beezhold
authors.forename: Carol S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Nochta
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020160:Sodium Benzoate / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020160:Sodium Benzoate