The 'taste' of packaged food can be fatal, with preservatives increasing the risk of diabetes and cancer.

News Topical, Digital Desk : According to the results published in the medical journals 'Nature Communications' and 'The BMJ', a direct link has been found between high consumption of preservatives and serious diseases. Researchers analyzed the dietary and health data of more than 1 lakh French people between 2009 and 2023. This 'NutriNet-Sant' study, which lasted for 14 years, looked at the effect of preservatives on our body (Health Risks of Packaged Food).

Diabetes risk

The study, published in Nature Communications, is the first in the world to find a link between type 2 diabetes and preservatives. The results are deeply concerning:

• A total of 17 preservatives were examined in the research, out of which excessive consumption of 12 was found to increase the risk of type-2 diabetes.
• Those with a high intake of preservatives overall had a 47% higher risk of developing diabetes.
• This risk was found to be 49% higher for non-antioxidant preservatives and 40% higher for antioxidant additives.

Study coordinator Mathilde Touvier said that although more research is needed to confirm these results, they are consistent with existing experiments that suggest these chemicals may be harmful.Also watch this video

risk of cancer

A cancer study published in The BMJ found that while not all preservatives cause cancer, high intakes of certain chemicals may increase the risk:

• Potassium Sorbate: Excessive consumption of this can increase the risk of overall cancer by 14% and the risk of breast cancer by 26%.
• Sodium Nitrite: This may increase the risk of prostate cancer by up to 32%.
• Potassium Nitrate: This was found to increase the risk of breast cancer by 22%.
• Sulfites: These were linked to a 12% increase in overall cancer risk.
• Acetates and acetic acid: These have also been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

Researchers believe that these chemicals can alter our body's immune system and inflammatory pathways, increasing the risk of cancer.

What do experts live for?

Professor William Gallagher of University College Dublin said that while this increase in cancer rates may seem minor, when we look at it at the population level, it is a significant and serious matter.

Since this was an observational study, the researchers aren't claiming direct cause and effect, but the results are significant. Therefore, consumers are advised to include fresh and minimally processed foods in their diets, rather than packaged or ultra-processed foods.

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