When it comes to vegetables, the most important thing to remember is that all vegetables are good for you. However, not all vegetables are created equal. Some vegetables have more nitrates than others.
Nitrates are naturally occurring substances in plants and animals that help to protect against disease-causing bacteria and fungi. Nitrates can be converted into nitrites by various microorganisms in the mouth and stomach. Nitrites can react with amines from proteins to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds.
In general, root vegetables such as carrots, beets and radishes contain the highest concentrations of nitrates of all commonly consumed vegetables, while leafy greens such as spinach and lettuce usually have the lowest concentrations of nitrates.
Nitrates are chemicals that occur naturally in many foods and are added to others. Nitrates are found in water, air, soil, and human and animal waste.
Foods that contain nitrates include:
beef, pork and poultry with no nitrates or nitrites added during processing
vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables like spinach and lettuce
raw beets or beet greens
canned green beans, carrots and corn
Nitrates are chemicals found in our environment that can have a negative impact on our health. Nitrates are found naturally in many foods, including vegetables and meats. However, processed and cured meats such as hot dogs and bacon often contain large amounts of nitrates.
Nitrates are also used as fertilizers for crops, which can then be eaten by animals or humans. The nitrates in fertilizer can seep into groundwater and then contaminate drinking water sources.
Nitrate salts have been linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). They have also been shown to increase the risk of methemoglobinemia, a condition characterized by low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxia). Nitrates may also contribute to heart disease by increasing blood pressure and causing inflammation within blood vessels.
However, more research is needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn regarding the link between nitrate consumption and cancer risk or heart disease development.
Nitrates are found in a wide range of foods, including vegetables, processed meats and drinking water.
In this article, we look at the effects of nitrates on the human body and how to lower your intake if you have high blood pressure.
What are nitrates?
Nitrates (also known as nitrites) are a type of salt (sodium nitrate) that’s commonly used as a preservative and color fixative in cured meats like bacon, ham and hot dogs. Nitrates help prevent botulism by inhibiting the growth of Clostridium botulinum bacteria in these foods. They also help preserve color and prevent spoilage by killing certain types of microorganisms present during processing.
The human body converts nitrates into nitrites, which can be harmful at high levels. Research suggests that high nitrite levels may contribute to cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis) by damaging blood vessels and contributing to inflammation in arteries [1]. However, there is conflicting evidence about whether consuming high-nitrate vegetables or drinking water with elevated levels increases your risk for heart disease or stroke [2].
Nitrates are found in water, food and in the human body. When nitrates are breathed in, they can cause shortness of breath, chest pain and headaches. Ingested nitrates can cause stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.
Nitrates are also found in some fertilizers used on plants. Nitrate-contaminated water supplies may have increased the risk of developing thyroid cancer among people exposed to drinking water with high nitrate levels (greater than 3 milligrams per liter).
The human body naturally produces small amounts of nitric oxide that helps regulate blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and improving circulation. This is why nitrates have been used as a treatment for angina pectoris (chest pain due to clogged arteries). However, too much nitric oxide can damage blood vessels, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes if untreated.
Nitrates are a naturally occurring chemical that’s added to food to preserve it and make it look fresh. Nitrates are found in many foods, including meat, fish and vegetables.
The most common source of nitrate exposure is from eating foods that have been preserved with nitrate salts. Not all nitrates are the same — sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate have been used in food for centuries, whereas sodium nitrate has been used for about 100 years.
Nitrates can also be found in drinking water that comes from wells or rivers. If you live in an area where fertilizers are used on crops, your well water may contain higher levels of nitrates than normal.
The body needs some amount of nitrates every day to function properly. However, if you get too much nitrate in your diet or through drinking contaminated water, it could be harmful to your health over time.
Nitrates are a form of salt found in the soil and water. They are added to foods as a preservative, coloring, and flavoring agent. Nitrates can also be produced by the body when nitrites from food or supplements react with certain bacteria in your mouth and intestines.
Nitrates are found in many vegetables and fruits, especially leafy green vegetables like spinach, collard greens and lettuce. In fact, the very healthiest vegetables contain the highest levels of nitrates.
Nitrate-Free Meat
Nitrates are used as preservatives in processed meats like hot dogs, sausages and bacon. This means that if you eat these products regularly, you’re likely getting more than enough nitrates to have an impact on your blood pressure. Avoid these types of meat products altogether if possible — or look for ones labeled “nitrate free.”
Water Purification Systems
Many water systems around the world use sodium nitrate as a disinfectant to kill bacteria in drinking water before it reaches consumers’ homes. If you live in an area where this type of system is used, it could be contributing to high nitrate levels in your drinking water supply — which could lead to elevated blood pressure readings over time
The effects of nitrates on the human body
Nitrates are found in many different foods and drinks, including vegetables, fruits and processed meats. It’s also naturally present in water supplies. Many people don’t realise that nitrates can be harmful to health and can cause a wide range of issues if they’re consumed in large quantities.
The effects of nitrates on human health are still being studied by scientists, but there’s some evidence to suggest that they may be linked to an increased risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
Nitrates in water
In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the concentration of nitrate in drinking water at 10 parts per million (ppm). However, this isn’t the case across all countries around the world. In fact, there are no regulations on nitrate levels in water across Europe or Australia. This means that it’s up to individual countries or states to determine their own acceptable levels for drinking water.
The nitrates in your diet come from two sources:
Nitrates that occur naturally in food. For example, celery, spinach and beets contain nitrates.
Nitrates that are added to foods. The most common source of added nitrates is sodium nitrate, which is used to cure meats.
The effects of nitrates on the human body vary depending on how much you consume and how often you consume them.
Some of the health risks associated with consuming too many nitrates include:
Higher risk of certain types of cancer (such as esophageal cancer)
Increased risk of heart disease and strokes
Nitrates are compounds that occur naturally in certain plants and vegetables, as well as in some processed foods. Nitrates have been used for centuries as a way to preserve food and make it last longer.
Nitrates are found naturally in many foods, including leafy green vegetables (such as spinach), beets, lettuce and celery — but they’re also added to many processed meats such as hot dogs, bacon and deli meats.
The U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) suggests that nitrates may help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. This is because nitrates may reduce the amount of oxygen needed by the heart during exercise — thus lowering blood pressure — according to an NIH study published in 1999.
Nitrates are natural compounds found in many foods, especially vegetables and meats. Nitrates are also added to processed meat products as a preservative.
Nitrates have been linked to a variety of health problems, including birth defects and cancer. However, more research is needed to determine their true risks.
A healthy diet should include plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains — all foods that contain nitrates. But processed and cured meats may contain high levels of nitrates, so it’s important to be aware of how much you eat.
Health concerns with nitrates
Nitrates have been used as a preservative since the 1880s and have been added to cured meats like bacon and hot dogs since 1945. These meat products are also known as “nitrite-cured” or “smoked” meat products because they’re treated with sodium nitrite or potassium nitrate during processing in order to prevent spoilage from bacteria growth.
Researchers believe that consuming large amounts of nitrites can be harmful because they convert into carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines when ingested by humans (1). These compounds may be absorbed directly into the bloodstream or metabolized by bacteria in the gut into potentially harmful chemicals (2).