Diet Study
Food for Thought
An experiment involving identical twin brothers has revealed the dramatic effect an additive-free die can have on children.
Britons Christopher and Michael Parker, aged five, were on separate diets for a fortnight, with the latter only allowed food free of additives.
In just two weeks, Michael had become more assertive and calmer than his brother and outperformed him on IQ tests.
The list of banned products, included chocolate and sweets, fizzy drinks, flavoured chips and caffeine. He was allowed additive-free goods such as fruit and some yoghurts.
Child psychologist Professor Jim Stevenson, of Southampton University, conducted the tests but was not told which twin was additive-free. He noticed a difference between the siblings and correctly picked Michael as the twin who had gone additive-free.
MX - Melbourne 29/4/03
