Introduction
The safety of food products of plant and animal origin has been a cause of concern due to a number of diseases associated with them . The human body is exposed to a diverse range of chemicals that are present in water, soil, air and food . Scientists have argued the presence of several naturally occurring cancer producing substances in our food . Food preservatives such as nitrates have become a major point of debate among the research community . Questions are being raised regarding the beneficial purpose of additives that are being added to foods such as nitrates and other nitrogenous compounds . There is a common misconception that the substances used as preservatives are fit for human consumption, but on the contrary, they are a potential source of nitrosamines that are carcinogenic.
Thesis Statement
"Do the presence of nitrates and its compounds in our food affect our health?" The research paper investigates the impact of nitrosamines on human health and their role in causing conditions such as cancer.
Do Nitrosamines cause cancer?
Magee and Barnes’ in 1956 discovered that dimethylnitrosamine caused liver cancer in rats . Their discovery prompted researchers to study the carcinogenic nature of other nitrosamines and N- nitroso compounds . Of approximately 300 such compounds investigated, 90% were found to have mutagenic and carcinogenic activities on several experimental animals . The Nitrosamines metabolism mechanism is same in animals and humans, making human body vulnerable to the carcinogenic properties of Nitrosamines . Nitrosamines are incriminating for producing cancers in the stomach, esophagus and nasal passages. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that the human body is capable of converting nitrosamines to metabolic intermediates which can cause alteration of the DNA. Most of the nitrosamines are Trans-placental carcinogens i.e. they can pass through placenta of the fetus in the womb and increase the risk of cancer .
Nitrosamines in Food
Nitrosamines are formed by complex chemical reactions between nitrites and amine groups present in certain proteins . These reactions are triggered in human stomach as a result of a chemical reaction between nitrites and food proteins that are swallowed . Nitrosamines are chiefly found in fried bacon, cured meats, fish meal, beer, tobacco products and non-fat dry milk .
Cured meats and fish meal are preserved using Sodium Nitrate that suppresses the activity of Clostridium botulinum, the agent responsible for food poisoning . Naturally occurring amines in curing meat react with sodium nitrate to form nitrosamines, a carcinogen . In Bacon, high cooking temperatures induce nitrosamine formation . Burning of tobacco also triggers the formation of nitrosamines . Tobacco smoke contains cyanide that is converted into a thiocyanate ion by the action of bacteria present in saliva . When swallowed; thiocyanate ion triggers the formation of nitrosamine in the stomach . It has been shown that direct fire drying of barley malt to produce beer prompt the formation of nitrosamines .
Pickles with high nitrite content are also believed to cause gastrointestinal cancer . Drinking water has been proved to be a potent source of mutagenic nitrosamines, nitrates and its compounds . Soils deficient in nitrogen, when supplied with nitrogenous fertilizers significantly elevate the content of nitrites in the standing agricultural crop . This poses a threat of formation of nitrosamines “in vivo” by the action of bacteria when such agricultural products are ingested through the food chain . Presence of nitrogenous pesticide residues in food such as “Atrazine” is argued to be a potent carcinogen in humans by the researchers . Surface runoff containing nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural fields contaminate the lakes, ponds and ground water, which make water unfit for drinking and other purposes .
Increasing Awareness
The following methods can be employed to spread the awareness among people:
- People should be informed about the carcinogenic effects of nitrosamines through seminars, workshops, print media, radio, and social media such as twitter, Facebook and blogs.
- Consumers should be encouraged to read the product label and its ingredients before use. Consumers should be using products devoid of carcinogenic nitrates, nitrites and its compounds .
- Active participation in discussion forums to raise awareness of carcinogens will further add to the cause.
Conclusion
In the present scenario, humans are exposed to numerous products that may pose a serious threat to their health. The presence of chemicals such as nitrates, nitrosamines and its compounds in our food has a strong impact on our health conditions. If this contamination of food with chemicals continues for long, it may have a devastating effect on the future generations. By virtue of consumer awareness, a message can be conveyed to the industries to develop substitutes for these food items that are safe for human consumption .
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