Nitrates and nitrites are substances which are present in our daily diets. It is important that we know more about them as they can adversely affect our health. To begin with, let us clarify what nitrates and nitrites are. Both elements are part of the nitrogen cycle. They are naturally occurring and are widely used as a preservative for meat.
When ingestion of either element is not excessive, there is no need to be concerned about health risks particularly if an individual also eats healthy foods and all the more so if these are organically grown produce. However, if a person's diet consists mostly of processed meats such as bacon, sausages and hotdogs, then there is much cause for worry.
According to recent studies, both nitrates and nitrites encourage weight gain and an unhealthy lifestyle. Furthermore, it can also lead to severe poisoning. Unfortunately however, no one has discovered a safer way to preserve meat which is why nitrates and nitrites continue to be used despite the possible health danger they pose. Without these chemical compounds, certain foods will easily rot. They give meats a pinkish color which people associate with freshness. At the same time, they also make meats taste better.
Nitrates and nitrites cause the body to produce nitrosamines which have been proven to be carcinogenic. Fortunately, the destructive effect of nitrosamines can be neutralized by vitamins C and E, so if you are fond of cured meats, you should supplement accordingly or choose meat products with these vitamins added. Of course, it would be much better if you could just give up eating such meats altogether.
A meat-free or a low protein diet at least, is actually a good idea. People will find that either one of these two diets does not take much getting used to. Other healthier protein sources available are tofu and fish which can be prepared in various tasty ways. At the same time, increasing one's intake of high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes will allow one to achieve better cardiovascular and digestive health, and even weight loss. Fiber is a natural appetite suppressant because it expands when it reaches the stomach creating a feeling of fullness. At the same time, fiber is low in calories. In addition, it flushes out cholesterol or water soluble fats from our system and maintains healthy blood sugar levels resulting in decreased cravings for sugary snacks.
Our state of health is greatly dependent on the substances that we allow to enter our bodies. With what you now know about nitrates and nitrites, you can make informed choices about the foods you eat. Eating healthy does not only mean knowing the right foods, but knowing what to avoid as well, and being able to eliminate those that seem harmless for the moment but may wreak havoc on your health in the long run.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.massagebyben.com/articles/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites 