Ingredient Spotlight - Nitrates and Nitrites

Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Nitrate are found in many processed foods because of their preservative effects.  They are also found in high concentrations in vegetables like spinach because of our fertilizing practices. (1)  Methemoglobinemia is a disease found usually in infants that is understood to be caused by Nitrates in drinking water as well as from spinach. (2)  An easy way to counteract this disease is to simply take vitamin C. (2)  Aside from this, no adverse effects have been found from nitrates and nitrites in food and certain benefits have actually been observed.  Blood pressure was slightly reduced by ingesting a nitrate supplement. (3)  Another study surprisingly found that nitrate enhanced energy production and reduced oxygen demand during submaximal exercise. (4)

Nitrate

Nitrite

At least from a brief review of the literature, it appears as though nitrates and nitrites may not be as detrimental as some claim.


1 Nitrate in foods: harmful or healthy?
2 Epidemiological and Toxicological Aspects of Nitrates and Nitrites in the Environment
3 Effects of Dietary Nitrate on Blood Pressure in Healthy Volunteers
4 Effects of dietary nitrate on oxygen cost during exercise