{"id":2465,"date":"2026-02-23T18:17:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T18:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/?p=2465"},"modified":"2026-02-23T18:17:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T18:17:28","slug":"new-study-links-some-food-preservatives-to-higher-cancer-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/?p=2465","title":{"rendered":"New Study Links Some Food Preservatives To Higher Cancer Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-journey-body=\"standard-article\">\n<div class=\"css-hl6xtf e1wzc3k51\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.delish.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/clock-regular.4ddebeb.svg\" alt=\"Estimated read time\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><span class=\"css-p1hv13 e1wzc3k50\">4 min read<\/span><\/div>\n<ul data-node-id=\"0\" class=\"css-kw9lqy emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"0.0\">A large study followed more than 100,000 people for nearly 15 years and found links between higher intake of certain preservatives and a modestly higher cancer risk.<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"0.1\">The researchers flagged a handful of additives, but experts stress the results show association, not causation, and may reflect overall ultra-processed diets.<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"0.2\">If you\u2019re concerned, focus on limiting ultra-processed foods, reading labels, and building meals around whole foods rather than panicking and purging your kitchen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-node-id=\"1\" class=\"css-18pb4rg emevuu60\"\/>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"2\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">A recent study called into question the long-term health effects of common food preservatives. The study, published by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/392\/bmj-2025-084917\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/392\/bmj-2025-084917\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"BMJ Group\" data-node-id=\"2.1\" class=\"body-link css-8bav6j emevuu60\">BMJ Group<\/a>, tracked more than 100,000 people for nearly 15 years and found that a handful of common food preservatives may be linked to a higher risk of cancer. While previous research has suggested certain preservatives can damage cells and DNA, scientists wanted to see whether these additives were associated with increased cancer risk in real-world diets. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">The study examined 17 preservatives and found that only some were linked to a higher cancer risk. In particular, potassium sorbate, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrite, and sulfites were associated with an increased risk of overall cancer, as well as specific types like breast and prostate cancer. However, just because people who consumed more preservatives had a higher risk of developing cancer doesn&#8217;t mean the preservatives themselves caused it\u2014other factors could also be at play. <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"so-what-does-this-mean-for-the-everyday-consumer\" data-node-id=\"4\" class=\"body-h2 css-guqo8m emevuu60\">So, What Does This Mean For The Everyday Consumer?<\/h2>\n<section data-embed=\"body-image\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-17\" data-node-id=\"5\" class=\"embed\">\n<div size=\"medium\" data-embed=\"body-image\" class=\"align-center size-medium embed css-y6m8k e1fodxfw4\">\n<div class=\"css-uwraif e1fodxfw3\">\n<div class=\"css-p7qblm e1mlxuuw0\"><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"colorful breakfast cereal with milk on a spoon, close up with shallow depth of field\" title=\"Colorful breakfast cereal with milk on a spoon, close-up with shallow depth of field\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"6720\" height=\"4480\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/colorful-breakfast-cereal-with-milk-on-a-spoon-royalty-free-image-1771619080.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.0969xh&amp;resize=640:* 640w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/colorful-breakfast-cereal-with-milk-on-a-spoon-royalty-free-image-1771619080.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.0969xh&amp;resize=768:* 980w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/colorful-breakfast-cereal-with-milk-on-a-spoon-royalty-free-image-1771619080.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.0969xh&amp;resize=980:* 1120w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/colorful-breakfast-cereal-with-milk-on-a-spoon-royalty-free-image-1771619080.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.0969xh&amp;resize=980:* 1400w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/colorful-breakfast-cereal-with-milk-on-a-spoon-royalty-free-image-1771619080.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.0969xh&amp;resize=980:* 1800w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/colorful-breakfast-cereal-with-milk-on-a-spoon-royalty-free-image-1771619080.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.0969xh&amp;resize=980:* 2000w\" src=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/colorful-breakfast-cereal-with-milk-on-a-spoon-royalty-free-image-1771619080.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.0969xh&amp;resize=980:*\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" data-dynamic-svg=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.delish.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/social\/pinterest.e8cf655.svg?primary=%2523ffffff\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"dynamic-svg-base\" height=\"auto\" width=\"auto\" alt=\"pinterest\" class=\"css-4lml0h e1mlxuuw1\"\/><\/div>\n<p><figcaption data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-figcaption\" class=\"css-1am3yn9 e1g9hcy40\"><span data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-creditor\" class=\"css-10bgxwr e1geg53v2\">Brent Hofacker \/ 500px<\/span><span class=\"css-10t3vcu e1geg53v0\">\/\/<\/span><span class=\"css-10bgxwr e1geg53v1\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"6\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">&#8220;The study found an association, not causation, between higher consumption of certain food preservatives and a modestly increased cancer risk,&#8221; nutritionist Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, explains. &#8220;It&#8217;s important to note that this doesn&#8217;t mean these preservatives directly cause cancer. Instead, the findings may reflect the overall impact of diets high in ultra-processed foods, which tend to be lower in nutrients and higher in additives.&#8221;<\/p>\n<section data-embed=\"watch-next\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-18\" data-node-id=\"7\" class=\"embed\"\/>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"8\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Nutritionist <a href=\"https:\/\/whitnessnutrition.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/whitnessnutrition.com\/about\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Whitney Stuart\" data-node-id=\"8.1\" class=\"body-link css-8bav6j emevuu60\">Whitney Stuart<\/a>, MS, RDN, agrees, noting that the study can&#8217;t account for every lifestyle factor, including smoking, body mass index, and physical activity. Plus, she says, &#8220;Not all preservatives carry the same level of risk; it depends on the type, dosage, and food matrix. The real-world risk increases with the frequency and quantity of consumption; occasional intake poses different risks compared to daily consumption.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">And as nutritionist <a href=\"https:\/\/loveiskindwellness.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/loveiskindwellness.com\/about\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Jessica Clancy-Strawn\" data-node-id=\"9.1\" class=\"body-link css-8bav6j emevuu60\">Jessica Clancy-Strawn<\/a>, MA, RDN, points out, labels don&#8217;t list the exact amounts of preservatives used, so it&#8217;s difficult for researchers to determine total intake. Exposure is difficult to measure, too, since different brands use different additives, and not all synthetic preservatives carry the same level of risk.<\/p>\n<section data-embed=\"editorial-link\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-19\" data-node-id=\"10\" class=\"embed\">\n<aside class=\"css-1fm2v8u e94w1mj9\">\n<h6 class=\"css-18s47pf e94w1mj7\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-theme-key=\"title-design-element-before\" class=\"css-0 eagam8p0\"\/><span class=\"css-8lle59 e94w1mj5\">Related Story<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-theme-key=\"title-design-element-after\" class=\"css-0 eagam8p1\"\/><\/h6>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<h2 id=\"which-preservatives-pose-the-highest-risk--what-foods-are-they-in\" data-node-id=\"12\" class=\"body-h2 css-guqo8m emevuu60\">Which Preservatives Pose The Highest Risk &amp; What Foods Are They In?<\/h2>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">The study highlights several common food preservatives that may be linked to a higher risk of cancer. Clancy-Strawn, along with weight loss expert Sam Watts of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.personaltrainerfood.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.personaltrainerfood.com\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Personal Trainer Food\" data-node-id=\"13.1\" class=\"body-link css-8bav6j emevuu60\">Personal Trainer Food<\/a>, breaks down the preservatives associated with a higher overall cancer risk: <\/p>\n<ul data-node-id=\"15\" class=\"css-kw9lqy emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"15.0\"><strong data-node-id=\"15.0.0\">Sulfites:<\/strong> Commonly found in wine, dried fruits, and some shrimp and vegetables<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"15.1\"><strong data-node-id=\"15.1.0\">Nitrates, nitrites, and erythorbates:<\/strong> Found in processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, deli meat, and sausage<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"15.2\"><strong data-node-id=\"15.2.0\">Propionates:<\/strong> Found in refined cereals and baked goods<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"15.3\"><strong data-node-id=\"15.3.0\">Ascorbates and citrates:<\/strong> Found in refined fruit and vegetable products<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"15.4\"><strong data-node-id=\"15.4.0\">Tocopherols:<\/strong> Common in breakfast cereals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"16\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Some preservatives were also associated with more specific cancer risks, including breast and prostate cancer:<\/p>\n<ul data-node-id=\"17\" class=\"css-kw9lqy emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"17.0\"><strong data-node-id=\"17.0.0\">Potassium sorbate<\/strong><\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"17.1\"><strong data-node-id=\"17.1.0\">Potassium metabisulfite<\/strong><\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"17.2\"><strong data-node-id=\"17.2.0\">Sodium nitrite<\/strong><\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"17.3\"><strong data-node-id=\"17.3.0\">Potassium nitrite<\/strong><\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"17.4\"><strong data-node-id=\"17.4.0\">Acetic acid<\/strong><\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"17.5\"><strong data-node-id=\"17.5.0\">Sodium erythorbate<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Other <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12428186\/#sec1-foods-14-03079\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12428186\/#sec1-foods-14-03079\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"studies\" data-node-id=\"18.1\" class=\"body-link css-8bav6j emevuu60\">studies<\/a> also suggest that BHA, BHT, benzoates, nitrates, nitrites, and sulfites may be linked to colorectal cancer. Many of these additives show up in ultra-processed foods like sweetened yogurts, frozen meals, energy drinks, shelf-stable baked goods, sugary cereals, packaged snacks, instant noodles, and convenience meals.  <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-can-consumers-do-to-decrease-risks\" data-node-id=\"19\" class=\"body-h2 css-guqo8m emevuu60\">What Can Consumers Do To Decrease Risks?<\/h2>\n<section data-embed=\"body-image\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-20\" data-node-id=\"20\" class=\"embed\">\n<div size=\"medium\" data-embed=\"body-image\" class=\"align-center size-medium embed css-y6m8k e1fodxfw4\">\n<div class=\"css-uwraif e1fodxfw3\">\n<div class=\"css-p7qblm e1mlxuuw0\"><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"assorted croissants in a display case\" title=\"Assorted Croissants in a Display Case\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"5527\" height=\"3685\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/assorted-croissants-in-a-display-case-royalty-free-image-1771619243.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.128xh&amp;resize=640:* 640w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/assorted-croissants-in-a-display-case-royalty-free-image-1771619243.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.128xh&amp;resize=768:* 980w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/assorted-croissants-in-a-display-case-royalty-free-image-1771619243.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.128xh&amp;resize=980:* 1120w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/assorted-croissants-in-a-display-case-royalty-free-image-1771619243.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.128xh&amp;resize=980:* 1400w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/assorted-croissants-in-a-display-case-royalty-free-image-1771619243.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.128xh&amp;resize=980:* 1800w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/assorted-croissants-in-a-display-case-royalty-free-image-1771619243.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.128xh&amp;resize=980:* 2000w\" src=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/assorted-croissants-in-a-display-case-royalty-free-image-1771619243.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.753xh;0,0.128xh&amp;resize=980:*\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" data-dynamic-svg=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.delish.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/social\/pinterest.e8cf655.svg?primary=%2523ffffff\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"dynamic-svg-base\" height=\"auto\" width=\"auto\" alt=\"pinterest\" class=\"css-4lml0h e1mlxuuw1\"\/><\/div>\n<p><figcaption data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-figcaption\" class=\"css-1am3yn9 e1g9hcy40\"><span data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-creditor\" class=\"css-10bgxwr e1geg53v2\">DigiPub<\/span><span class=\"css-10t3vcu e1geg53v0\">\/\/<\/span><span class=\"css-10bgxwr e1geg53v1\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"21\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">&#8220;The key here isn&#8217;t to freak out and toss everything in your fridge,&#8221; Watts says. Preservatives do have benefits, after all: they extend shelf life, help lower food costs, and can reduce food waste. Stuart recommends limiting highly processed meats, reading labels on packaged foods, and building meals around whole foods. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">When scanning ingredient lists, Clancy-Strawn recommends choosing shorter lists when possible and opting for foods naturally rich in vitamins C and E. &#8220;Whole foods should outweigh preserved and ultra-processed foods to help shift the balance toward prevention,&#8221; she says. Manaker adds, &#8220;Occasional consumption of processed foods is unlikely to pose significant harm, but moderation is key.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"25\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Consumers can also encourage food companies to use safer preservation methods, such as herbs, spices, fermentation, and plant-based preservatives, Clancy-Strawn notes. &#8220;Rosemary extract, for example, used as a natural preservative, has shown potential in laboratory studies to inhibit cancer cell growth,&#8221; she says.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"other-things-to-note\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"body-h2 css-guqo8m emevuu60\">Other Things To Note<\/h2>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"27\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">&#8220;In nutrition research, context is important: no single compound determines risk\u2014overall diet patterns and lifestyle choices also play significant roles,&#8221; Stuart says. While it&#8217;s smart to limit how often you\u2019re eating foods packed with these preservatives, occasional indulgences aren\u2019t necessarily something to stress about. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"28\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Watts adds that people who consume more additives may also be more likely to eat more junk food overall, which isn&#8217;t great for health to begin with. This study is &#8220;a heads-up, not a panic button,&#8221; he says. The best takeaway: check labels, choose whole and minimally processed foods when you can, and pair that with staying active and prioritizing overall health.<\/p>\n<section data-embed=\"editorial-link\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-21\" data-node-id=\"29\" class=\"embed\">\n<aside class=\"css-fcvumo e94w1mj1\">\n<div data-theme-key=\"carousel-container\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" role=\"region\" aria-live=\"off\" aria-labelledby=\"PP0-21-0\" class=\"css-vzlvvm e1kgjrvy4\">\n<p><h2 id=\"PP0-21-0\" data-theme-key=\"carousel-hed\" class=\"css-4i2xvz e1kgjrvy5\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-theme-key=\"title-design-element-before\" class=\"css-0 eagam8p0\"\/>More Recent Health Studies<span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-theme-key=\"title-design-element-after\" class=\"css-0 eagam8p1\"\/><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>4 min read A large study followed more than 100,000 people for nearly 15 years and found links between higher intake of certain preservatives and a modestly higher cancer risk. The researchers flagged a handful of additives, but experts stress the results show association, not causation, and may reflect overall [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2466,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2465","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2465"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2466"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2465"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2465"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2465"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}