If you’ve seen a “no nitrates or nitrites added” label on a package of bacon or deli meat recently, you might’ve wondered what those words even mean. Is “uncured” meat better for you? Do you have to ...

Nitrates and nitrites are two different types of compound. Nitrates (NO3) consist of one nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms. Nitrites (NO2) consist of one nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms.

Nitrates are molecules made of nitrogen and oxygen that are found naturally in air, soil, water, and some foods. Some of the foods high in nitrates are green leafy vegetables and root vegetables.

Nitrates and nitrites give processed meats their characteristic pink color and robust flavor. Although many consumers want to limit consumption of these preservatives because the substances can form ...

Nitrates in food have long been associated with negative health consequences, putting many of us on high alert when we see food products with added nitrates, like processed meats. But there’s actually ...

Engineers have found a catalyst the cleans toxic nitrates from drinking water by converting them into air and water. Engineers at Rice University's Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) Center ...