Are nitrates good or bad for health? Why?
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The health effects of nitrates — commonly found in vegetables, meat, and even drinking water — have long been a subject of debate. While previous studies linked them to cancer, a new review by a team from Edith Cowan University, Australia, suggests nitrates may actually protect against cardiovascular disease.
Medical News Today spoke with Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, who was not involved in the new study, to explain how nitrate intake plays out within our bodies. She explained:
“When food sources of nitrate are consumed, the nitrate is absorbed by salivary glands, where it is converted into nitrite. From there, the nitrite is absorbed into the bloodstream and transformed into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide plays a key role in many functions within the human body, including blood pressure regulation and heart health.”
Nitrate sources are abundant in our diet, occurring naturally in leafy green vegetables. Manufacturers also add them to processed meats as preservatives, which is what sparked concerns regarding potential cancer and diabetes risks. However, Dr. Johnson-Arbor notes that there is no “one size fits all” approach and that the risks and benefits should be balanced according to individual characteristics.
For more on the potential cardiovascular benefits, effect on cognitive function, the role of cooking temperatures, and the nuanced relationship between nitrates and cancer, jump to “Nitrates: Are they unhealthy or protective?”
Also making the headlines this week: New research finds that people who are deficient in vitamin D are more likely to develop long COVID, while another study shows that taking a daily multivitamin may improve memory and help slow cognitive decline. We also reported on how certain fruits can ward off frailty in old age, while consuming ultra-processed foods may lead to depression. We also have startling news that women are more than twice as likely than men to die after a heart attack. All these stories, and many more, are linked below.
Our regular daily newsletter returns tomorrow. We’d love to hear from you in the meantime, so please send any feedback, comments, suggestions, or questions to the team by email.
Stay informed and stay healthy!
Tim Snaith
Newsletter Editor, Medical News Today
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| Vitamin D deficiency linked to increased risk of developing long COVID |
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| People with low vitamin D after being hospitalized for COVID-19 are more likely to develop long COVID, a new study finds. |
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| Daily multivitamin may improve memory, help slow cognitive decline |
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| A new study shows that taking a daily multivitamin could help turn back the cognitive aging clock by over 3 years. |
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| How flavonol-rich foods like apples and blackberries keep you strong as you age |
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| Researchers say foods rich in compounds known as flavonols, such as apples and blackberries, can reduce the risk of frailty as people age. |
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| Women more than twice as likely than men to die after heart attack, study finds |
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| A study found that following a heart attack, women are 2–3 times more likely to have adverse outcomes such as death than men both in the short and long |
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| 10 commonly used pesticides directly linked to Parkinson's in new study |
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| A new study has linked 10 commonly used pesticides to damage in dopaminergic neurons, the brain cells that do not work correctly in Parkinson's disease. |
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| Ultra-processed foods may increase depression risk, long-term study shows |
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| A long-term study offers new evidence supporting the link between a diet high in ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of depression. |
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| Could whole-body cryostimulation help treat obesity? |
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| Researchers from Italy argue that whole-body cryostimulation could be a helpful additional treatment for obesity, improving blood sugar levels and reducing waist circumference measurements. |
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| Heart disease: CT scans may be best for predicting risk during middle age |
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| A new study shows CT scans are more effective at estimating heart disease risk during midlife compared to genetic testing. |
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| WHO advises not to use nonsugar sweeteners in newly released guidelines |
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| Officials at the World Health Organization are advising consumers not to use nonsugar sweeteners, saying they don't provide any long-term health benefits. |
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| Smoking cannabis doesn’t carry the same COPD risk as tobacco, study finds |
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| Researchers say smoking or vaping cannabis produces a lower risk of COPD than tobacco, but experts say any smoke is damaging to the lungs. They recommend people find ways to consume cannabis that doesn't involve smoking or vaping. |
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| Oxygen restriction helps fast-aging mice live longer, study reports |
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| Experts say low oxygen environments can help improve longevity in the same way that low calorie diets bolster health. |
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| The earlier someone develops type 2 diabetes, the higher their dementia risk |
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| A new study indicates that a person’s dementia risk increases the younger that person develops type 2 diabetes. |
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