You may have seen labels for nitrate-free deli meat at the store, such as nitrate-free pepperoni, sliced ham, or prosciutto. In this video, find out what nitrates are, the health concerns with them, and how to avoid nitrates.
You can read more about nitrates and nitrate-free meats here.
References
Calvo, T. (2019). Danger at the Deli. Consumer Reports.
Environmental Working Group. (2015). How to avoid added nitrates and nitrites in your food.
Miller, P., et al. (2013). Meat-related compounds and colorectal cancer risk by anatomical subsite. Nutrition and Cancer.
Tarever, T. (2019). Are nitrates and nitrites misunderstood? Food Technology Magazine.
Wolk, A. (2017). Potential health hazards of eating red meat. Journal of Internal Medicine.
Why trust our experts?
Written by:
Marisa Taylor KarasMarisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.
Reviewed by:
Sarah Gupta, MDSarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
