Nitrates and nitrites are preservatives that are added to certain meats to affect a desirable color and prevent the growth of poisons and bacteria. When nitrates and nitrites are exposed to heat and other conditions during the curing process, they are sometimes transformed into nitrosamines, which have been linked to cancer in a number of studies. In addition to this, nitrates and nitrites have been linked to stalling–or unexpected stops in weight loss–even when consumers are on low carb diets, such as Atkins, that specifically prescribe the consumption of meat that could potentially contain nitrates and nitrites. |