2006-10-18 06:54:33 · 4 answers · asked by TRACY G 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
They prevent the growth of bacteria and molds.
They are not good for you, they cause cancer in rats.
don't let your rats eat any meat with nitrates in it.
2006-10-18 06:57:06 · answer #1 · answered by disco legend zeke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I learnt that the reason that nitrates are in there are in order to store the meats for months at a time and to avoid them going bad. It is believed that eating to much things with Nitrates causes Cancer. There for yes, they are harmful.
2006-10-18 13:57:34 · answer #2 · answered by Ian C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nitrates are used as preservatives...sodium nitrate being the most popular.i.e.salt........and yes too much salt is very harmfull
2006-10-18 16:10:01 · answer #3 · answered by jeff c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrates
http://www.organicconsumers.org/foodsafety/processedmeat050305.cfm
2006-10-18 13:59:45 · answer #4 · answered by Dana 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋