This is a bit off topic, but I know a lot of people who are eating gluten-free and dairy-free for health reasons other than autism or celiac, and some people are concerned about nitrites in their hot dogs preferring “nitrite-free” hot dogs. Let me clear this up for you.
There is no such thing as a nitrite and nitrate free, pink, traditional, hot dog. Period.
Nitrites and nitrates prevent botulism and rancidity. They inhibit the growth of bacteria. In addition there is some recent evidence that they may even be GOOD for you. Celery and spinach are full of nitrates. they have literally hundreds of times as many nitrates as hot dogs. As in 2000 ppm or so depending on the veggie vs 10ppm or so.
For you chemistry buffs nitrate is NaNO3 and nitrite is NaNO2 and your digestive tract turns nitrates into nitrites.
Nitrites in food can come from either saltpeter (sodium nitrite) or from celery, beets, spinach and other veggies which have natural nitrates. We Americans, despite our low veggie intake still get most of our nitrates from veggies. Nitrite free hot dogs actually use celery or veggie juice to get the nitrates needed for that cured meat flavor. Veggie juice can result in some inconsistent dosing, but may be more palatable to some people. And the “good” meat companies disclose this fully on their websites.
Here are some of the studies showing the benefits of nitrates and nitrites in the human diet.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21626413
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19439460
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16563818
Now that said, nitrosamines (formed when nitrites are combined with other amines or heated beyond a certain point) are decidedly carcinogenic.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16550597
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16865769
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21685410
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10415436
This is not something that is unique to nitrites and nitrates. Many foods change from healthy to scary depending on how they are prepared. Olive oil is not recommended for frying because at higher heats it oxidizes and changes chemically.
So Nitrites = may be good, Nitrosamines = bad
For a full academic discussion in English this article from the University of Minnesota covers how nitrates become nitrosamines. This article is, however, 20 years old so be aware that some of the future they were mentioning is now in the past.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/nutrition/DJ0974.html
In the end, I can think of several reasons to want bacon, ham, salami, bologna etc, and hot dogs not to be a major part of my diet. There is a fair amount of research that indicates that eating lots of processed meat is a problem. That said you reduce the risk of forming nitrosamines as long as you microwave, boil or bake these items on low heat (like my slow oven cooked bacon) and eat them in moderation from healthy (grass-fed) animals.
If you are really interested in the science of this subject, check out these blog posts by someone who really put some time in to analyzing all the different studies.
http://www.anti-agingfirewalls.com/2011/01/09/nitrates-and-nitrites-%E2%80%93-part-1-bad-for-you/
http://www.anti-agingfirewalls.com/2011/01/10/nitrates-and-nitrites-%E2%80%93part-2-good-for-you/
So, don’t fear the junk science. And until we understand better how nitrates become nitrosamines, I plan to continue eating my favorite grass-fed beef hot dogs in moderation and my vegetables prolifically.
I don’t see anything to convince me that celery and beets are a problem.
