Sodium nitrite and cancer risk

Sodium nitrite and cancer risk

Sodium nitrite is a compound which is specially added to processed meat like cone beef, bacon and hotdogs. Even though this compound is neutral, within the body it can be converted to carcinogenic compounds which can cause cancers. It was clearly shown that Sodium nitrite increases the risk of leukemia.
Sodium nitrite is added to processed meat in order to retain the reddish appealing color. But this Sodium nitrite is converted to carcinogenic nitrosoamines by colonic bacteria which increase the risk of cancer. Since sodium nitrate is also converted to Sodium nitrite with in the body it also can be carcinogenic.
So if the same person who is eating lots and lost of processed food also having constipation the problem can be much more severe and probably he is having a heightened risk of colonic cancer. So beware of Sodium nitrite and cancer risk and next time make sure to read the label of the food item before you buy it.