Known as either nitrites or nitrates, these food additives are responsible for turning meats like ham, hot dogs and cold cuts a pink color. Nitrates are used to cure meats. Also, nitrates are found naturally in foods like lettuce and spinach when nitrogen in the soil oxidizes to form nitric acid. Nitrates have been associated with harmful effects, including cancer.
Carcinogen
In the 1950s, studies found that derivatives of nitrates called N-nitrosamines were connected with cancer in animals, according to "Scientific American." After this time, studies that followed have found no significant link between nitrates and increased risk for cancers, particularly stomach cancer, which was previously rumored.
Immediate Exposure
If you eat too-high levels of nitrates, you may experience immediate unpleasant symptoms within the first 18 to 36 hours of exposure, according to the Bureau of Environmental Health. This includes upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision or difficulty breathing. Increasing your vitamin C -- an antioxidant that neutralizes harmful effects of nitrates -- intake, may be able to help.
Methoemohemoglobinemia
Under certain conditions in the body, such as when your pH level is affected, nitrates that you take in can be converted to nitrites. This is dangerous because nitrites react with the iron that occurs naturally in your blood to form a new compound, known as methemoglobin. This is a dangerous occurrence because methemoglobin cannot transport oxygen throughout the body. Your tissues need oxygen to properly function. If you do not get enough oxygen, you may notice your tissues turning blue, a condition known as methemoglobinemia.
You are at greater risk for this condition if you eat a diet high in nitrates, yet low in vitamin C, have ulcers in your stomach, have been diagnosed with gastroenteritis or smoke or abuse drugs or alcohol.
Considerations
While nitrates previously received a bad reputation for their carcinogenic effect, they may help maintainin balance in your body. Specifically, nitrates have an antimicrobial effect in the body. Nitrates can be helpful in killing bacteria known to cause stomach infections. While stomach acid naturally kills some of these bacteria, nitrates help to kill bacteria like E. coli more quickly, according to "Scientific American." Also, foods high in nitrates can help to prevent bacteria connected with causing cavities.
"We've gone from considering all of these things to be toxic and carcinogenic to realizing that [nitrates are] playing a fundamental homeostatic role," said Ferric Fang, a microbiologist at the University of Washington interviewed in "Scientific American."
References
- "Scientific American"; Bad Rap for Nitrate?; JR Minkel; Sept. 2004
- Nutrition Diva; Are Nitrates and Nitrites Bad for You?; Monica Reinagel, MS, LDN; Nov. 2009
- EDP Sciences; Nitrates in the Human Diet - Good or Bad?; Nigel Benjamin; 2007
- Bureau of Environmental Health; What Are Nitrates/Nitrites?; Nov. 2006
- Argonne National Laboratory; Nitrate and Nitrite; Aug. 2005
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