Study Links Common Food Preservatives to Increased Cardiovascular Risks
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal has found that common food preservatives may significantly increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. The research, led by Dr. Mathilde Touvier and Anaïs Hasenböhler from the Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team at Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, involved 112,395 volunteers from France. Participants reported their dietary intake every six months, allowing researchers to analyze the impact of preservatives on their health over an average of seven to eight years. The study revealed that individuals consuming the highest amounts of non-antioxidant preservatives had a 29% higher risk of hypertension and a 16% higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. The research also identified specific preservatives, such as potassium sorbate and sodium nitrite, as being linked to these health issues.