Only a few of us have the ability to grow safe, nitrate-free food in our garden with our own hands. Everyone else has to rely on the luck and good faith of the farmers. However, there is another way out - to minimize the content of nitrates in purchased products.
The harm of nitrates
Nitrates are nitric acid salts that get into fruits and vegetables from the soil. Nitrates are found in almost every fruit and vegetable. These substances are provided by nature itself: they are necessary for the normal development of plants. Even if nitrogen fertilizers were not used in the growing process, nitrates will still be in the products.
If these substances enter our body in an acceptable concentration, they do not bring any harm to health. An excess of nitrates weakens the immune system, and can also provoke the appearance of a malignant tumor, in particular, in the gastrointestinal tract.
Where is there a lot of nitrates?
The largest amount of nitrate is usually found in vegetables grown in greenhouses or greenhouses. Root vegetables and lettuce: cabbage, watermelon, eggplant, beets, carrots, radishes, cucumbers became leaders in their content. It was found that nitrates are usually concentrated at the base of the fruit and in the cuttings of the leaves. A special device, a nitrate meter, will help to determine the exact amount of nitrates in a product.
How to get rid of nitrates?
It is impossible to completely rid foods of nitrates. You can only reduce their number. To do this, wash and peel all fruits and vegetables with the utmost care before use. In this case, the latter must also cut off the "ass", and remove the cabbage stump from the cabbage. Always cut off the stems of greenery. Only the leaves should be used for food.
Boiling will also help get rid of nitrates. However, in this case, a good half of the useful vitamins will also leave the vegetables. In addition, try to buy products from trusted sellers. Feel free to ask for product quality certificates in stores and markets. They always indicate the amount of nitrates that is present in the products.
To minimize the effect of nitrates on the body, you can use foods rich in vitamins C, E and A. These include all citrus fruits, bananas, sauerkraut, apples. Therefore, during the period of active consumption of vegetables and fruits, lean as much as possible on foods containing these vitamins.
