What is sodium nitrate used for?

What is sodium nitrate used for?

Sodium nitrate (and its cousin additive sodium nitrite) is a common preservative used in cured meat products including bacon, deli meat, and jerky. It has been linked to the development of heart disease and diabetes.

What does sodium nitrate do to your body?

Sodium nitrate, a preservative that’s used in some processed meats, such as bacon, jerky and luncheon meats, could increase your heart disease risk. It’s thought that sodium nitrate may damage your blood vessels, making your arteries more likely to harden and narrow, leading to heart disease.

Is sodium nitrate poisonous?

Sodium nitrate is a widespread substance in the environment, and in itself, contrary to potassium nitrate, seems relatively non-toxic.

What is sodium nitrite in food?

Sodium nitrite is a multifunctional food additive, responsible for the characteristic color and flavor associated with cured meats and at the same time providing protection against growth and toxin formation by C. botulinum in cured meats subjected to temperature abuse.

Is sodium nitrate an explosive?

A mixture of sodium nitrate and sodium hypophosphite constitutes a powerful explosive. Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials.

Is sodium nitrate a drug?

Sodium nitrite is used as a medication together with sodium thiosulfate to treat cyanide poisoning. It is only recommended in severe cases of cyanide poisoning. In those who have both cyanide poisoning and carbon monoxide poisoning sodium thiosulfate by itself is usually recommended.

What are two uses of sodium nitrite in food?

Sodium nitrite is a salt and an anti-oxidant that is used to cure meats like ham, bacon and hot dogs. Sodium nitrite serves a vital public health function: it blocks the growth of botulism-causing bacteria and prevents spoilage. Sodium nitrite also gives cured meats their characteristic color and flavor.

What vegetables are high in nitrates?

Vegetables particularly rich in nitrates include green leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce as well as fennel, rocket, radishes, Chinese cabbage, and parsley [3, 5, 6].

What is sodium nitrate and what is it used for?

Sodium nitrate is a natural salt made up of sodium, nitrogen and oxygen. It’s used in meats not only to enhance flavor and add color but also as a preservative to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage.

Where does the sodium nitrate in water come from?

Sodium nitrate can be found in plants and unregulated drinking water. Nitrogen is turned into sodium nitrate in soil and is necessary for plant growth. Plants absorb sodium nitrate from the soil in varying amounts.

What are the special properties of sodium nitrite?

One special property of sodium nitrite is that it prevents the growth of Clostridium botulinum. These bacteria produce the botulism toxin, one of the most lethal substances known, which causes a paralytic illness that can lead to respiratory failure.

How to avoid the negative effects of sodium nitrate?

Avoiding the Negative Effects. An easy way to avoid excessive sodium nitrate intake is to limit how much cured meat is in your diet. This can also help you avoid the risk of high blood pressure.