Nitrates – widely used preservatives – are found in a variety of foods. Are they good or bad? After all, they can form nitrosamines, recognized carcinogens. A new study uses the metaphor of Dr. Jekyll ...

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 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.