TOXICITY of reheated SPINACH-fact or fiction?

Question

Is it true that reheating spinach causes the nitrates in it to be changed into nitrites by bacteria present on nitrate rich foods?
There are loads of conflicting statements on the net. I'm really confused. I've always heard not to reheat it, but i need to know why, if it is true.

"Adults are not affected by nitrates or nitrites because their stomachs produce acids that fight the bacteria that help convert nitrates into nitrites"

Nitrosamines are carcinogenic chemical compounds of the chemical structure R2N-N=O. Nitrosamines are produced from nitrites and amines. Their formation can occur only under certain conditions, including strongly acidic conditions such as that of the human stomach

ARGH....as you can see the more i read into it, the more i am confused. I'd really appreciate if someone could shed some light...

Answer 1

Ne'er heard bout that.
All that it tells is theoretically true. ie, nitrates do get reduced to form nitrites on strong heating. Under acidic conditions, the nitrites & 2deg or 3deg amines do react to form nitrosoamines.
& the nitrosoamines are carcinogenic,

But still, I don't know , how much it is applicable in real life!!

Answer 2

Reheating Spinach