A recent study found that certain food preservatives may contribute to higher risks of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Researchers analyzed data from over 112,000 adults and found that higher consumption of total non-antioxidant preservatives was associated with a 29% greater risk of hypertension and a 16% higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Preservatives and Health Risks

The study identified eight preservatives that were associated with higher rates of hypertension, including sodium nitrite, which is commonly found in processed foods like hot dogs and bacon. The researchers noted that the findings do not mean that dietary vitamin C itself causes cardiovascular disease, but rather that the form of vitamin C used as a food additive may be associated with increased risk.

The study’s results suggest that consumers should be aware of the potential health risks associated with food preservatives and take steps to limit their intake. This can include reading food labels carefully and choosing products with fewer preservatives.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.