what are nitrites

Nitrates and nitrites are chemical compounds that contain nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrates (NO3) consist of one nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms, while nitrites (NO2) consist of one nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms. They occur naturally in the environment and are present in soil, water, plants, and air due to air pollution. Nitrates and nitrites can also be added to food as preservatives, and they are commonly used for curing meat and other perishable foods to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium responsible for botulism. Nitrites can be converted to nitric oxide (NO), an important signaling molecule in the body, and may offer health benefits in some cases. However, excessive amounts of nitrite in the body can hinder the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen, and nitrate in food (and nitrate converted to nitrite in the body) may contribute to the formation of nitrosamines, some of which are carcinogenic.