The NutriNet-Santé cohort study, an observational analysis of 112,395 French adults tracked over 7-8 years with repeated 3-day dietary records, links higher intake of non-antioxidant preservatives to a 29% elevated hypertension risk and 16% higher cardiovascular events. As a large-scale prospective observational design rather than an RCT, it controls for confounders like lifestyle but cannot establish causation; no conflicts of interest are declared by Touvier or Hasenböhler. This fills gaps missed by mainstream coverage of ultra-processed foods by isolating specific additives like potassium sorbate (E202) and sodium nitrite (E250), which experimental literature ties to oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Synthesizing with Monteiro's NOVA classification work (Public Health Nutrition, 2019, observational patterns in 100k+ adults) and mechanistic reviews on nitrites (Hypertension journal, 2022), the data reveal how these compounds may disrupt pancreatic function independently of overall processing levels, a connection often overlooked. Antioxidant preservatives showed a 22% hypertension link, urging EFSA/FDA re-evaluation while reinforcing minimally processed diets.