Considerations

• Birth Defects Researchers have been studying the way sodium benzoate can affect the development of zebrafish. (A common species used in studies because it develops in ways similar to humans.) Researchers found SB to delay the hatching of zebrafish. It also affected the way that zebrafish developed their sense of touch, affected their guts, and had malformed pronephros (basically the kidney of the fish). Another study found that sodium benzoate affected the male reproductive organs of the fish. The human implications of these studies are unknown. • Neurotoxin Sodium benzoate displayed neurotoxicity in mice studies. Sodium benzoate appeared to impair the memory of mice and created oxidative stress in the brain. It also reduced glutathione levels in the brain; glutathione is an important antioxidant in the body. Even short-term exposure to sodium benzoate induced these neurological effects. Sodium benzoate has also been linked to ADHD. • Obesogen One study found sodium benzoate decreased leptin responses, meaning it could affect one's feeling of satiety and potentially leading to overeating and weight gain. Sodium benzoate is currently being studied for its potential to be an obesogen. This mostly applies to dietary use. It is unknown if this is relevant to topical use. • Endocrine Disruptor Sodium benzoate is a suspected hormone disrupting chemical. In one study it increased estrogen levels. It has been found to damage DNA and increase oxidative stress and inflammation. Chronic levels of inflammation have been implicated in hormone-related disorders such as PCOS. • Contamination Concerns In the presence of vitamin C and other related acids, sodium benzoate can form the carcinogen benzene.