Health
Study links common food preservatives to higher risk of hypertension, heart disease
A new French study has linked several common food preservatives used in store-bought foods to an increased risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, raising fresh concerns about the health effects of additives commonly found in processed and ultra-processed foods.
The study, published in the European Heart Journal, found that people who consumed higher amounts of certain preservatives were more likely to develop hypertension, heart attacks and stroke over time.
Researchers analysed data from more than 112,000 participants enrolled in the NutriNet-Santé cohort, an ongoing French nutrition and health study that has tracked dietary habits since 2009.
Burden of heart disease in Nigeria
The findings come as Nigeria continues to face a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, stroke and heart disease.
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels remains consistently too high. Over time, the condition can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.
A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, potentially causing paralysis, speech problems or death.
Heart attacks happen when blood flow to part of the heart becomes blocked, preventing oxygen from reaching heart muscles.
According to a report by PREMIUM TIMES, health experts and existing reports, hypertension remains one of the most common non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, with many cases undiagnosed until complications develop.
Preservatives linked to cardiovascular risk
According to the findings, preservatives used to prevent spoilage caused by bacteria, mould and yeast were associated with significantly higher cardiovascular risks.
The study reported that higher consumption of these preservatives was linked to a 29 per cent greater risk of elevated blood pressure and a 16 per cent increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Researchers identified three “non-antioxidant” preservatives strongly associated with hypertension. These include potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulphite and sodium nitrite.
Potassium sorbate is commonly used in baked goods, cheeses, sauces and wine, while potassium metabisulphite is often found in wine, juice, cider and beer.
Sodium nitrite is widely used in processed meats such as bacon, ham and deli meats.
The study also found that several antioxidant preservatives, often described as “natural”, were associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
These include ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, sodium erythorbate, citric acid and rosemary extracts, which are commonly used to prevent foods from turning brown or rancid.
Higher intake of these antioxidant preservatives was associated with a 22 per cent greater risk of high blood pressure.
Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, was specifically linked to cardiovascular disease in the study.
Researchers noted that although ascorbic acid and citric acid naturally occur in fruits and vegetables, additives used in processed foods may not have the same health effects as naturally occurring compounds.
Ultra-processed foods under scrutiny
The findings add to growing evidence linking ultra-processed foods to poor health outcomes.
Researchers noted that preservatives are not limited to ultra-processed foods alone, as earlier findings showed that only about 35 per cent of preservative intake came from ultra-processed products.
Still, the study highlighted the widespread presence of preservatives across many commonly consumed foods and reinforced recommendations encouraging people to consume more fresh and minimally processed foods.
Researchers advised consumers to prioritise fresh, uncooked and minimally processed foods where possible.
Frozen foods preserved through low temperatures rather than additives were also identified as preferable alternatives.
Long-term dietary tracking
To conduct the research, participants recorded all foods and drinks consumed over three days every six months, including brand names.
Researchers then matched these records with ingredient databases to estimate preservative exposure over several years.
Medical records from the French national healthcare system were used to track diagnoses of hypertension and cardiovascular disease over the study period.
The researchers examined 58 preservatives in total and conducted detailed analysis on 17 additives consumed by at least 10 per cent of participants. Eight of those preservatives were associated with increased hypertension risk over the following decade.
READ ALSO: WHO, EU launch health support project as Nigeria battles multiple disease outbreaks
Links to cancer, diabetes
The study builds on previous research linking similar preservatives to increased risks of cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Earlier findings identified preservatives such as sodium nitrite, potassium nitrate, sorbates, potassium metabisulphite, acetates and acetic acid as being associated with higher risks of prostate cancer, breast cancer and other cancers.
Several of the same preservatives were also previously linked to a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Although the researchers noted that the findings do not establish direct cause and effect, they said the results highlight the need for further investigation into the long-term health effects of food additives and preservatives.
The Nigerian government has strengthened its partnership with China to expand cancer care through technology transfer, professional training, research and expansion of radiotherapy capacity.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this while delivering the opening address at the LINK Global Summit on Innovation and Practice in Oncology at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing, China.
This is according to a statement issued on Saturday and signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The statement added that Nigeria also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with LinaTech, a Chinese company specialising in advanced radiation therapy solutions.
Cancer burden
Salako said cancer remained a national priority, noting that Nigeria recorded an estimated 127,763 new cancer cases and 79,542 deaths in 2022.
He said breast, prostate and cervical cancers accounted for more than 40 per cent of cancer mortality in the country.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s mortality-to-incidence ratio improved from 62.3 per cent in 2022 to 59.6 per cent in 2024, although he acknowledged that “significant work remained to be done.”
He said the government had, since May 2023, accelerated interventions across cancer prevention, awareness, early detection, treatment, financing, infrastructure, and research.
Salako cited the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into routine immunisation in October 2023, saying more than 14 million girls aged nine to 14 years had been reached.
He also mentioned the National Initiative for Cancer Early Detection, Screening and Coordinated Access to Network Care (NICE-SCAN), as well as initiatives of the Task Force for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, as part of efforts to improve early detection and referral.
China partnership
The minister said the emerging partnership with China would provide technical assistance in radiotherapy, support joint research and development, facilitate academic exchanges, and build professional capacity.
He said Nigeria was a founding African partner of the LINK Global Oncology Alliance and had also participated in the inauguration of the Radiotherapy Working Group of the China-Africa Hospital Alliance.
Salako said Nigeria wanted the cooperation agreement to result in a joint work plan with designated focal persons and quarterly milestones.
“We want to see the twinning of our cancer centres of excellence, the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment(NICRAT), and our tertiary hospitals like the National Hospital, Abuja, with the Chinese cancer hospitals,” he said.
He also called for the establishment of a designated clinical training base in Nigeria to serve as a West African hub for advanced radiotherapy training.
He said Nigerian radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiotherapy technologists and biomedical engineers should also have opportunities for fellowship training in China.
Beyond equipment
Salako said Nigeria’s long-term objective was not simply to acquire cancer equipment but to develop the technical and human capacity required to install, maintain and eventually manufacture cancer technologies locally.
“Machines without people are monuments,” he said, stressing that trained personnel, maintenance systems and sustainable technical support must back every linear accelerator installed.
He said Nigeria would also pursue technology transfer, local assembly and servicing of radiotherapy and imaging equipment, joint clinical trials, cancer registry-linked research, artificial intelligence-assisted treatment planning, adaptive radiotherapy and tele-oncology collaborations by 2030.
The minister said the government’s incentives for health manufacturing, including zero-duty and zero-VAT measures, provided an enabling environment for investment in local production and technology transfer.
Cancer treatment, research
Mr Salako said six cancer centres of excellence were being developed, with three already completed and commissioned in Katsina, Enugu and Benin.
He said the centres were equipped with modern linear accelerators, while work on the remaining three was progressing.
He also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the procurement and installation of 35 additional linear accelerators between 2026 and 2028 to expand access to radiotherapy further.
The minister said the government had also strengthened NICRAT, which had trained about 140 early-career cancer scientists and supported 24 research grants.
ALSO READ: Cancer Care: Nigeria has only eight certified radiotherapy centres – Official
He identified the National Cancer Access Programme, Catastrophic Health Insurance Scheme, National Cancer Health Fund, and Social Determinants of Cancer Care Fund as mechanisms to improve access to cancer medicines and care while alleviating the financial burden on patients and families.
Salako said the interventions were being implemented under the Nigeria National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030, which prioritises prevention, decentralised diagnosis and treatment, financial risk protection, oncology workforce development, clinical trials and cancer registries.
He also mentioned the recent inauguration of the Blood Cancer Consortium as part of efforts to enhance coordination in the national cancer-control response.
He stated that the government aimed for the China partnership to help translate oncology innovations into tangible improvements in patient care.
“Innovation in oncology is meaningful only where it reaches the patient. Let this summit be remembered not for what was displayed, but for what was delivered. Nigeria is ready, our plan is costed, our partners are welcome, and the patients are waiting,” he said.
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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Friday began offering free hydrocele surgeries to affected residents across the six Area Councils.
Teresa Nwachukwu, Director of the FCT Public Health Department, stated that the intervention would enable access to surgical care for those unable to afford treatment.
Nwachukwu, represented by Ngozi Ebisike, Head of the Disease Control Division, spoke at the flag-off ceremony at Kubwa General Hospital.
She said hydrocele, although medically treatable, could affect mobility, productivity, family life, self-esteem, and social participation.
According to her, some patients live with the condition for years, enduring pain, discomfort, stigma, and embarrassment, while believing that nothing could be done.
She stated that the FCTA intervention would offer affected residents access to safe, high-quality surgical care.
The FCT government, through the Department of Public Health and Disease Control, acknowledges IHS Towers, The END Fund, Christian Blind Mission (CBM), and HANDS Division for their partnership,” she said.
They remain dedicated to enhancing the prevention, detection, and treatment of neglected tropical diseases and their complications.
Lami Ndayako, FCT Coordinator for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), praised the partners, especially IHS Towers, for their support in eliminating NTDs in the territory.
She said IHS Towers, through The END Fund, has been a strategic partner in advancing NTD elimination efforts in the FCT since 2024.
Ms Ndayako stated that the organisation had invested approximately ₦114 million in the programme over the past three years.
According to her, the support has enhanced preventive and morbidity management interventions for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.
She said the programme supported mass distribution of ivermectin for onchocerciasis in two Area Councils, reaching communities with more than 400,000 doses.
Ms Ndayako stated that over 600 community case finders had also been trained to identify and refer individuals living with hydrocele and lymphoedema for surgery and treatment.
She stated that more than 210 hydrocele surgeries have been successfully performed over the past three years.
Earlier, Joseph Kumbur, NTDs Specialist at CBM International, stated that the 2026 surgery exercise would be carried out across the six Area Councils before the end of October.
Kumbur stated that the FCT was endemic for six NTDs, including river blindness and schistosomiasis.
He stated that interventions against river blindness had been ongoing since 1995, noting that the FCT had previously had a high prevalence of the disease.
READ ALSO: PT Health Watch: Why parents should not overlook children’s vision problems
Damian Udeh, Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs at IHS Towers, stated that the organisation was committed to supporting the communities in which it operated.
Udeh, represented by Jumai Adeika, an officer of the organisation, stated that supporting initiatives that enhance lives, strengthen communities, and promote sustainable development remained among its objectives.
He praised the FCT government, health workers, surgeons, community teams, CBM, The END Fund, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the programme.
“We are especially pleased with the progress achieved through this programme and the number of beneficiaries who have already received surgical care,” he said. (NAN)
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