Nitrates

Nitrates (also called Nitrites) is a preservative and used to set color in food.  Nitrates and Nitrites form Nitrosamines in the body.  Nitrosamines are carcinogenic. 

On top of that, the very high heat used to cook many processed meats like sausage and bacon, assist in the formation of Nitrosamines.

Studies indicate that people who eat a lot of processed meats with nitrates (including hot dogs, bacon, cold cuts, sausages) are at a much higher risk for pancreatic cancer.

Water filters can help eliminate nitrates and other unwanted chemicals from our water.

Proper nutrition and Vitamins C and E, in particular, can help prevent Nitrosamines from forming.  Some processed meats add these vitamins to their meats for that reason but best bet for us is to simply stay clear of processed meats that contain these compounds.

Nitrates can be found to some extent naturally in Spinach, Eggplant, Beets, Lettuce, Turnip Greens, Green Beans, Radishes, Celery, and Collards.  The nitrogen in chemical fertilizers oxidizes into nitrates that these plants absorb.  These nitrates cause the bitter flavor we associate with some greens like Collards.  Organic vegetables have significantly less nitrates because of the natural compost used to fertilize the soil.  These vegetables are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and this is should not be used as an excuse not to eat them.  It is, however, one more reason to choose organic.

The Safe Shopper's Bible explains that European countries, Germany for example, banned the use of nitrates and nitrites in 1997 while the FDA has allowed the continued use of these.

The highest level of nitrates are avoidable from processed meats.  Nitrates cause cancer, plain and simple, and should be avoided.  Our best bet, if we don't want to give up our breakfast sausage or sandwich meats, is to eat only fresh chicken and turkey (organic and free-range, or course), and choose processed meats that do not have Nitrates listed as one of the ingredients.  Luckily, there is a nice assortment of meats without nitrates these days so we can continue to eat roast beef sandwiches, bacon and hot dogs.  Meats without nitrates are more perishable so eat them promptly or freeze them before the expiration date.

• Nitrosamines & Cancer, The Linus Pauling Institute, by Richard A. Scanlan, Ph.D. Dean of Research Emeritus and Professor of Food Science
• Nitro-Baby - baby products/rubber products
• Treating Diabetes Naturally
• Nitrates in Livestock Feed
• Organic Myth vs Reality, Soil Association
• More About Nitrosamines - links to other sites