It's AumSum Time Can you guess the title of my next video? Hurry up. Write your guess in the comments section below. Are preservatives bad for you? I don't know what they are. So, they must be good for me. No. Wait. I'll explain. A preservative is a substance added to foods, cosmetics, medicines, etc. to prevent them from spoiling. For example, preservatives like salt and sugar prevent the growth of harmful microbes in foods. Thus preventing them from spoiling. However, a high amount of salt and sugar can increase the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, etc. Some food items even have preservatives like benzoic acid to inhibit the growth of harmful microbes. But benzoic acid is said to cause hyperactivity in children, asthma, etc. Sorbic acid which is used in cosmetics can cause skin irritation. In people suffering from asthma, preservatives like sulfites can cause very serious problems. Like difficulty in breathing, tightness in chest, etc. Hence, it is very important to check the preservatives used and have them in moderate amounts.