srjpSRJPSRJP2788-9564https://doi.org/10.47310/srjp.2022.v02i02.002Side Effects of Preservatives on Human LifeTawoosMohammed KamelAhmedMediaMohammedBakrQaysAssiAhmedIn order to increase their shelf life, preservatives are essential in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. They prevent microbiological development, preserve flavor and boost nutritional content. There are two types of preservatives: natural and artificial. Chemical processes are used to create industrial preservatives as more affordable and efficient substitutes. Artificial preservatives are chemicals that are used to preserve food for a longer amount of time; they include antimicrobials, antioxidants and other ingredients that impede the ripening process naturally. Antimicrobials prevent the breakdown of foods caused by bacteria and the mechanism of action of these preservatives ranges from preventing bacterial growth to preventing certain enzymes from working.Regardless of the existence of natural preservatives like salt, alcohol, vinegar and sugar, the food sector deals with poisonous chemicals that are truly connected to a number of diseases and harmful health impacts. Many preservatives have different effects on the human body and therefore research is constantly being done to determine how dangerous they are and remove them from the market . Preservatives have negative effects on human health and the biological system and environmental pollution and cause many diseases and damages to the human body, such as skin sensitivity, discourage the work of the endocrine glands, disrupt the menstrual cycle and cause tissue disorders in the liver, kidneys and reproductive organs, in addition to their impact on body weight, balance Oxidative stress and sex hormones. That is why the current article aimed to present the role of preservatives to prevent spoilage of food, medicines and cosmetics and to know their negative effects on human health.