It also produces brain chemicals that help nerve cells communicate ( 16).
Nitric scid free#
One way to increase its stability and limit its breakdown is by consuming antioxidants.Īntioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals, which contribute to the short life of nitric oxide ( 15). Nitric oxide is an unstable molecule that degrades quickly in the bloodstream, so it must be constantly replenished ( 14). Consuming nitrate-rich vegetables improves heart health and exercise performance. Vegetables are good sources of nitrates, which help form nitric oxide in your body. Therefore, nitrates from vegetables are harmless, whereas nitrates in processed meats can be troublesome to health, particularly when consumed in excess over long periods ( 13). However, vegetables, which account for more than 80 percent of nitrate intake, contain antioxidants like vitamin C, which help prevent the formation of N-nitroso compounds ( 12). Nitrates can form N-nitroso compounds, such as nitrosamine, which are capable of causing cancer. This is likely because sodium nitrates are commonly used as a preservative and color fixative in bacon, cold cuts and hot dogs.Įating these foods is linked to bowel cancer, and nitrates are thought to be the culprit ( 10, 11). Strong evidence favors nitrates, especially from beetroot, for improving exercise performance in athletes ( 6, 7, 8, 9).ĭespite the effects that nitrates have on nitric oxide production in your body, some people avoid them for fear they are harmful and contribute to cancer. In fact, several analyses have shown that eating nitrate-rich vegetables can lower blood pressure as much as some blood pressure medications ( 2, 3, 4, 5).
When these foods are consumed, nitrates are converted into nitric oxide, which confers a wide range of health benefits related to heart health and exercise performance. Nitrate, a compound found in certain vegetables, is one of the many reasons vegetables are healthy for you. Share on Pinterest Ilona Shorokhova/EyeEm/Getty Images
0 kommentar(er)
