does all bacon have nitrates

Does All Bacon Have Nitrates? The Truth About This Controversial Ingredient

Nitrates have gotten a bad rap in recent years. These compounds are commonly used as preservatives in cured and processed meats like bacon, deli meats, and hot dogs. Many people believe that nitrates in bacon and other processed meats can cause cancer and other health problems. But is this true for all types of bacon? Are there any nitrate-free bacon options? Let’s take a closer look at the facts.

What are Nitrates?

One nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms make up nitrates (NO3), which are chemical compounds that happen naturally. Nitrites (NO2) and other chemicals like them are made in soil as part of the nitrogen cycle. You can find them in many fruits, vegetables, and grains. For example, spinach, arugula, beets, and carrots can contain high levels of nitrates.

Nitrates are added to certain foods like cured meats to prevent botulism and other bacterial growth, extend shelf life, and enhance color and flavor. Sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate are the most commonly used food additives.

When ingested, nitrates are converted into nitrites by natural bacteria in your mouth and stomach Nitrites can then turn into nitric oxide, which provides various health benefits related to blood flow, blood pressure, and heart health.

The Controversy Around Nitrates in Bacon

While nitrates occur naturally in many plant foods, there is controversy around the nitrates added to processed meats. Under high heat, nitrites can combine with amines to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic compounds associated with an increased risk of cancer.

A lot of research has shown that eating processed meats that are high in nitrates can make you more likely to get colon cancer and other types of cancer. Having processed meat has also been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and dying young.

However, nitrates themselves are not necessarily harmful. It’s the combination of nitrites and amines, formed during high temperature cooking of cured meats, that seems to cause issues.

Do All Types of Bacon Contain Nitrates?

Now let’s get back to the main question: do all types of bacon contain nitrates? The short answer is yes. Here are the details:

Conventional Bacon

Most conventional bacon found in supermarkets contains added sodium nitrate or sodium nitrite during processing. These preservatives give bacon its distinctive pink color and help prevent spoilage and bacterial growth.

According to the USDA, most bacon contains around 5-10 mg of nitrite per 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of meat. So yes, regular mass-produced bacon does contain added nitrates.

“Nitrate-Free” Bacon

You may see some bacon labels claiming to be “nitrate-free.” This can be misleading, as these products usually still contain nitrates – just from natural sources like celery powder or celery juice rather than artificial sodium nitrate.

Celery is naturally very high in nitrate, which gets converted to nitrite during curing. So while these bacons don’t contain artificially added nitrates, they can contain comparable levels of nitrites to conventional bacon.

Some studies suggest bacon cured with celery juice may be slightly less carcinogenic compared to bacon cured with sodium nitrite. But the bottom line is you’re still getting nitrites with “nitrate-free” bacon.

Uncured or Naturally Cured Bacon

Truly uncured or “naturally cured” bacon uses alternative curing methods without any added nitrates/nitrites from artificial or natural sources. This involves using ingredients like sea salt, vinegar, celery seed, and spices to preserve the meat.

Because there are no added nitrates, uncured bacon tends to have less of a pink color. The flavor also may differ somewhat from what you’re used to with regular bacon. Uncured bacon has to be kept refrigerated and has a shorter shelf-life.

You can find some uncured/naturally cured bacon options from high-end butchers, farmer’s markets, and health food stores. Just check the ingredients list carefully to ensure there are no sources of nitrates/nitrites added.

Turkey Bacon

What about turkey bacon? While turkey meat itself is very low in nitrates, turkey bacon is processed and cured in similar ways to regular pork bacon. Most turkey bacon contains added sodium nitrite, and even “uncured” versions usually contain nitrates from celery sources.

So if you’re trying to avoid nitrates, turkey bacon is not necessarily any better than regular bacon. Read labels carefully.

The Healthiest Bacon Options

To limit your nitrate intake from bacon, your best options are:

• Uncured bacon with no added nitrates or nitrites

• Nitrate-free bacon cured with just sea salt, spices, vinegar etc.

• Bacon made from heritage breed pigs raised on small farms without chemicals or preservatives

• Limit bacon intake to occasional consumption rather than daily

• Look for organic and non-GMO verified bacon when possible

If you do choose to eat regular bacon, frying it at lower temperatures may help reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds compared to cooking it crispy. But overall, minimizing processed meats like bacon in your diet can promote better health.

Other Ways to Reduce Nitrates in Your Diet

Here are some other simple tips to limit your nitrate consumption from food sources:

• Limit intake of processed and cured meats like deli meats, sausages, hot dogs

• Eat plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies

• Include green tea, vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidants in your diet which can neutralize nitrosamines

• Avoid charring meats; grill, bake, or braise at lower temperatures instead

• Drink water from deep wells rather than surface sources to reduce nitrate content

• Consider taking probiotic supplements to optimize your gut health and microbiome

The Bottom Line

All bacon is