What Are Nitrates?

By Pierre Mouchette

Have you ever heard of nitrates, and if you have, do you know what they are? If you answered that they keep processed meats fresh longer and provide them with a rich pink or red color, you are right, but what else do nitrates do? Somewhat less known is that nitrates occur naturally in fruits, vegetables, and grains, preventing nitrosamines formation.

As with everything, nitrates have their good side and, yes, a bad side. Learn about nitrates' health benefits, and side effects in What Are Nitrates? – The Good, The Bad, and The Alternatives. Remember, a healthy diet can diminish chronic illness and the onset of certain diseases, such as colorectal and gastric cancer. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Enviro Life Knowledge Publishing
• Release date: Feb 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215666654

Pierre Mouchette

Pierre Mouchette is the Founder and CEO of Real Property Experts LLC.  He graduated from New York University with a Master's in Business Administration.  Pierre has a Certificate in Real Estate Law from Fairfield University - Fairfield, CT, and GRI from The Connecticut Realtors Association in Hartford, CT.   He held licenses as a Real Estate Broker in NY and CT and a Mortgage Broker in CT. Pierre has an extensive real estate investment, business management, and sales background, supplemented by decades of hands-on experience in building systems engineering, building development and management, evaluation, and analytical engineering studies. Pierre is a real estate investor, entrepreneur, and author of expository publications on Real Estate Investing and Investment Knowledge, Environmental Knowledge, Life Knowledge, and Life-Health Knowledge.  All work produced involves critical-thinking skills, the ability to simplify complex, technical information for consumers with nontechnical backgrounds, research, analysis, and input from industry experts and national organizations.  Publications explain, inform, describe, and present concepts in simple, understandable language.  Expository contents are appropriately structured in Books, Manuals, Guides, and How-to-Articles.

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INTRODUCTION

Have you ever heard of nitrates, or do you know what they are? You would be correct if you said they help keep processed meats, deli foods, and hot dogs full of color. But what else do they do, and are they good or bad for you?

What Are Nitrates?

There are nitrates and nitrites, but what is the difference? To explain this accurately, we must examine the chemistry of these two compounds. Each consists of a single nitrogen atom bonded to several oxygen atoms. 

It is easily identifiable through the chemical formulas:

Nitrate:  1 Nitrogen atom, 3 Oxygens atoms (chemical formula NO3)

Nitrite:  1 Nitrogen atom, 2 Oxygens atoms (chemical formula NO2)

The formula above shows that nitrates have three oxygen atoms while nitrites have two oxygen atoms. Nitrates themselves are more stable than nitrites, but when they convert to nitrites, it gets tricky. Nitrates can be transformed into nitrites by bacteria and enzymes (substances that speed up specific chemical reactions) found in the mouth and body. Most experts agree that nitrates are comparatively harmless until broken down into nitrites. 

If you eat certain foods, nitrites are good since they prevent forming bacteria, such as listeria and botulinum, but then too much of a good thing can be an issue. Using nitrites is how cured meat stays pink or red. Otherwise, they would turn brown, and you would likely not purchase them. The nitrites convert to nitric oxide, creating a chemical reaction with the proteins found in meat. This reaction is what changes the color. As stated, nitrates (sodium nitrates) are added to cure meats, for example, salami, pepperoni, and bacon, as a color preservative and to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms. 

Nitrites can be good when they create nitric oxide, but when they form nitrosamines, it will have a negative effect because this may be where cancer-causing cells arise.

Note:  nitrates naturally occur in fruits, vegetables, and grains. This natural event prevents the formation of nitrosamines, a harmful factor. 

FYI

Nitrosamines are used in manufacturing