Nitrates are environmental chemicals that are found in the air, soil, and water. Nitrates have many uses, including making glass and explosives, like dynamite. They are essential for plants to grow and are contained as nitrogen in most fertilizers. Nitrates are also used as food preservatives and as an ingredient in powerful prescription medications. Headaches from nitrates are a common complaint.
Diet
Nitrates are part of a normal healthy diet and are relatively nontoxic to adults. Spinach, lettuce, beets, carrots and other vegetables contain significant amounts of nitrate. The Illinois Department of Public Health says that adults can consume large quantities of nitrates with no known ill effects because of the presence of strong stomach acids that prevent the conversion of nitrates into dangerous and toxic nitrites. Infants and babies can be more at risk of consuming nitrates.
Drinking Water
Drinking water may contain low levels of naturally occurring nitrates. Higher levels of nitrates can be found in some drinking water and are potentially dangerous to infants. Nitrate becomes toxic when it is converted to nitrite and may cause methemologlobinemia, also known as "blue baby syndrome." The stomach acid in babies and infants is less acidic than adults, and therefore more conducive to the formation of toxic nitrites.
Processed Meats
Sodium nitrate is added to processed meats such as bacon, ham, sausage and hot dogs. Its purpose is to increase the shelf life and appearance of the meat. It is a preservative and color enhancer that makes gray meat look red and fresh. According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the causes of primary headaches are "certain foods, such as processed meat, that contain nitrates."
Nitroglycerin
Organic nitrates are anti-anginal, meaning they relax vascular smooth muscle, and are prescribed in the form of nitroglycerin patches, ointments and pills for the treatment of angina. In a study published in the June 2006 issue of "Expert Opinion on Drug Safety," researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences found that headaches are the most common side effect of nitrate therapy. Nitroglycerin acts as a vasodilator and adverse reactions include headaches, which may be severe.
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