Are nitrates in bacon bad for you?

Nitrates and nitrites are compounds that occur naturally in the human body and some foods, such as vegetables. Manufacturers also add them to processed foods, such as bacon, to preserve them and make them last longer. In some forms, nitrates and nitrites can be hazardous.

Is bacon without nitrates better for you?

Nitrate-free bacon is just as dangerous as conventional bacon. Both types of bacon have high protein content, so both contain amines that can become nitrosamines in your body. Bacon from any source tends to get cooked at very high temperatures, too — a method that raises nitrosamine levels in your meat.

How can you tell if bacon is nitrate free?

If you cure your bacon with celery rather than sodium nitrite, you are required by law to label that bacon “uncured.” You also have to include the statement “no nitrates or nitrites added.” That’s right.

Does any bacon not have nitrates?

Uncured bacon is bacon that hasn’t been cured with sodium nitrites. Usually, it’s cured with a form of celery, which contains natural nitrites, along with plain old sea salt and other flavorings like parsley and beet extracts. Uncured bacon has to be labeled “Uncured bacon.

What is the healthiest bacon to eat?

Bacon Options (from highest to lowest in fat)
Total CaloriesProtein (g)
Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits10012
Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon, 2 slices704
LightLife Smart Bacon (veggie protein strips), 3 slices606
Jennie-O Extra Lean Turkey Bacon, 2 slices406

Does butcher bacon have nitrates?

The health risk of bacon is largely to do with two food additives: potassium nitrate (also known as saltpetre) and sodium nitrite. It is these that give salamis, bacons and cooked hams their alluring pink colour.

Does all smoked bacon have nitrates?

The bottom line: All bacon is likely to contain nitrite and nitrate, whether added at the outset or formed naturally during processing. If you want to avoid these compounds, you’ll have to avoid bacon—and any other processed meats containing celery juice—altogether.

Is organic bacon nitrate free?

No, not all nitrate free bacon is organic. There are organic bacons made from organic pork cured with “natural nitrates”, and there are many nitrate free bacons made with industrially raised pigs.
Weight0.2 kg
PreferenceStreaky Bacon (6 slices), Back Bacon (6 slices)

Does Canadian bacon have nitrates?

Canadian bacon is much leaner and is more like ham than the streaky cured and smoked strips of bacon that most of us are used to and is typically cut from the loin. Now nitrite & nitrate-free smoked, and uncured, so it’s free from anything bad! Like we needed another reason to love bacon.

How do you remove nitrates from your body?

Nitrate may be successfully removed from water using treatment processes such as ion exchange, distillation, and reverse osmosis. Contact your local health department for recommended procedures. Heating or boiling your water will not remove nitrate.

Which brands of bacon are nitrate-free?

Smithfield is the largest pork producer in the world (now owned by a Chinese company) so it’s no surprise they have a wide variety of bacon products available. This pick doesn’t contain added nitrates or nitrites, but does use celery juice which naturally contains the same compound.

Does sea salt have nitrates?

Beets, celery and sea salt may all contain nitrate naturally.

What sausages are nitrate-free?

Pederson’s Farms, Sweet German Smoked Uncured Rope Sausage, (4 Pack, Use / Freeze) 14oz ea – Fully Cooked, No Nitrates Nitrites, Gluten Free, Uncured Sausage.

Is any bacon healthy?

“About 68% of the calories from bacon come from fat—and about half of those are from saturated fat—so it’s definitely not the healthiest meat you can choose.” Bacon and other smoked, cured and processed meats are usually treated with nitrates or nitrites—chemical added to preserve shelf life and enhance color.

What lunch meat is nitrate free?

Applegate | Black Forest Uncured Ham: Like many other of the best deli meats, this product is uncured so it has NO added nitrates or nitrites (except those naturally occurring with the celery powder).

How do you remove nitrates from bacon?

The most-effective way to maximize removal of sodium nitrates from the meat is to cook the meat in water, drain away and discard the water, then cook again in fresh water. This process can be repeated numerous times when the goal is removal of preservatives for food quality.

What foods have no nitrates?

Researchers found that artichokes, tomatoes, asparagus, sweet potatoes, broad beans, summer squash, eggplant, potatoes, garlic, onion, peppers, green beans, mushrooms and peas are classified as very low in nitrates, according to a study published in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” in July 2009.

What brand of ham has no nitrates?

Boar’s Head Simplicity All Natural* Uncured Ham has no added nitrates or nitrites‡ and is slow cooked to perfection.

Does cooking destroy nitrates?

Cooking, boiling, steaming, broiling, baking and blanching all destroy the nitrates necessary for N-O production. Eating raw greens and other vegetables will provide raw materials for making N-O.

Do bananas have nitrates?

Banana, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, potato crisps, pumpkin, salami and strawberries also contain nitrates, but at lower concentrations of between 100 to 450mg/kg.

Do eggs have nitrates?

Eggs collected once a week for 8 weeks were analyzed for nitrate content. Increasing levels of nitrate in the drinking water resulted in increasing levels of nitrate in albumen and yolk. Higher levels of nitrate were found in the yolk than in the albumen.