{
  "id": 8686553,
  "title": "8 common food additives linked to high blood pressure and heart disease",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/8-common-food-additives-linked-to-high-blood-pressure-and-heart",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-20T12:43:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ScienceDaily",
    "slug": "sciencedaily",
    "url": "https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260920031905.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study published in the European Heart Journal links common food preservatives to an increased risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The research, led by Dr. Mathilde Touvier and Anaïs Hasenbühler, analyzed data from over 112,000 French participants over a seven to eight-year period. The study found that those with the highest intake of non-antioxidant preservatives had a 29% higher risk of hypertension and a 16% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Eight specific preservatives were linked to higher blood pressure: potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulphite, sodium nitrite, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, sodium erythorbate, citric acid, and rosemary extracts. The study's authors suggest a re-evaluation of the risks and benefits of these food additives by regulatory bodies like the EFSA and FDA. They recommend prioritizing non-processed and minimally processed foods to reduce exposure to these additives.",
  "summary": "Common preservatives hiding in processed foods may carry unexpected heart risks, with heavy consumption linked to substantially higher rates of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Researchers identified eight widely used preservatives associated with hypertension, although the observational study cannot prove they were directly responsible.",
  "key_points": [
    "Study links 8 common food additives to higher blood pressure and heart disease risk",
    "29% increased risk of hypertension for those with highest intake of non-antioxidant preservatives",
    "Authors recommend prioritizing non-processed foods to reduce exposure to additives"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ScienceDaily Health",
        "title": "8 common food additives linked to high blood pressure and heart disease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/8-common-food-additives-linked-to-high-blood-pressure-and-heart-8688335",
        "published": "2026-09-20T12:43:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}