A large French study suggests that preservatives commonly found in processed foods could be linked to higher risks of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
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Common preservatives used in processed foods may increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, according to a study of more than 112,000 people.
For decades, food preservatives have helped keep supermarket shelves stocked and extend the life of everything from packaged bread to processed meats.
But new research suggests some of these widely used additives may come with an unexpected tradeoff: a higher risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
The study was led by Dr. Mathilde Touvier, research director at INSERM (the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research), and Anaïs Hasenböhler, a PhD student. Both are part of the Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team at Université Sorbonne Paris Nord and Université Paris Cité in France.
Ms. Hasenböhler said, “Food preservatives are used in hundreds of thousands of industrially processed foods. Experimental studies suggest that some preservative food additives may be harmful to cardiovascular health, but we have not had enough evidence on the impact of these ingredients in humans. As far as we know, this is the first study of its kind to investigate the links between a wide range of preservatives and cardiovascular health.”
Credit: Anaïs Hasenböhler / European heart Journal
Large French Study Tracks Diet and Health
The research was conducted as part of the larger NutriNet-Santé study and involved 112,395 volunteers across France. Every six months, participants reported everything they ate and drank during a three-day period.
Researchers closely examined the ingredients in all foods and beverages consumed, including preservative additives. Participants’ health was then monitored for an average of seven to eight years to identify cases of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
The team found that 99.5% of volunteers had consumed at least one food preservative during their first two years in the study.
Large French Study Tracks Diet and Health
The research was conducted as part of the larger NutriNet-Santé study and involved 112,395 volunteers across France. Every six months, participants reported everything they ate and drank during a three-day period.
Researchers closely examined the ingredients in all foods and beverages consumed, including preservative additives. Participants’ health was then monitored for an average of seven to eight years to identify cases of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
The team found that 99.5% of volunteers had consumed at least one food preservative during their first two years in the study.
Processed Food Additives Tied to Hypertension
Participants with the highest intake of “non-antioxidant” preservatives had a 29% greater risk of hypertension compared with those consuming the least. They also had a 16% higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, and angina.
People who consumed the most antioxidant preservatives showed a 22% higher risk of hypertension. Non-antioxidant preservatives are used to prevent the growth of harmful microbes such as mold and bacteria. Antioxidant preservatives help stop oxidation that can cause foods to brown or become rancid.
Credit: Mathilde Touvier
Researchers also analyzed 17 commonly consumed preservatives and found that eight were specifically associated with high blood pressure. These included potassium sorbate (E202), potassium metabisulphite (E224), sodium nitrite (E250), ascorbic acid (E300), sodium ascorbate (E301), sodium erythorbate (E316), citric acid (E330), and rosemary extract (E392). Ascorbic acid (E300) was also specifically linked to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers also analyzed 17 commonly consumed preservatives and found that eight were specifically associated with high blood pressure. These included potassium sorbate (E202), potassium metabisulphite (E224), sodium nitrite (E250), ascorbic acid (E300), sodium ascorbate (E301), sodium erythorbate (E316), citric acid (E330), and rosemary extract (E392). Ascorbic acid (E300) was also specifically linked to cardiovascular disease.
Portrait of Mathilde Touvier.
Credit: Mathilde Touvier / European Heart Journal
Scientists Call for Re-Evaluation of Food Additives
Dr. Touvier added, “This study has some limitations inherent to its observational design. However, the findings are based on highly detailed data, and we have taken account of other factors that can increase or lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Experimental research in the literature consistently suggested that preservatives may cause oxidative stress in the body or affect the way the pancreas works.
These results suggest we need a re-evaluation of the risks and benefits of these food additives by the authorities in charge, such as the EFSA in Europe and the FDA in the USA, for better consumer protection. In the meantime, these findings support existing recommendations to favor non-processed and minimally processed foods, and avoid unnecessary additives. Doctors and other healthcare professionals play a key role in explaining these recommendations to the public.”
Researchers are now investigating how food additives and ultra-processed foods may influence inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic markers in the blood, and the composition of gut microbiota. They hope this work will help explain why certain additives may increase disease risk.
Dr. Touvier added, “This study has some limitations inherent to its observational design. However, the findings are based on highly detailed data, and we have taken account of other factors that can increase or lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Experimental research in the literature consistently suggested that preservatives may cause oxidative stress in the body or affect the way the pancreas works.
These results suggest we need a re-evaluation of the risks and benefits of these food additives by the authorities in charge, such as the EFSA in Europe and the FDA in the USA, for better consumer protection. In the meantime, these findings support existing recommendations to favor non-processed and minimally processed foods, and avoid unnecessary additives. Doctors and other healthcare professionals play a key role in explaining these recommendations to the public.”
Researchers are now investigating how food additives and ultra-processed foods may influence inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic markers in the blood, and the composition of gut microbiota. They hope this work will help explain why certain additives may increase disease risk.
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