Potassium Benzoate

Benzoates work to preserve the freshness and shelf life of your foods. You might find potassium benzoate in seemingly healthy food like apple cider, low-fat dressings, and pickled veggies. However, these preservatives don’t jive with your body. While benzoates stop the growth of mold and bacteria, they often break down to form benzene.

Benzene is a known cancer-causing chemical. Plastic soda bottles create benzene when exposed to heat or sunlight, which could occur anytime before you drink it.