What Foods Contain Sodium Nitrate?
Sodium nitrate is a salt used as a preservative ingredient in processed meats, which occurs naturally in certain vegetables and is found in ground water as a result of pesticide use. Many people try to avoid foods that contain nitrates because they may contribute to health problems. A 2005 study led by Ute Nothlings at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii found that heavy consumption of processed meats, which usually contain sodium nitrate, led to a substantially greater risk of pancreatic cancer. Avoiding foods that contain sodium nitrate or nitrite may minimize this additional risk factor.
