- Nitrates and nitrites are found in food and water. It is sometimes added to foods such as processed meats to extend shelf life.
- Researchers are still working to discover the risks and benefits associated with nitrate and nitrite consumption.
- A recent study found that exposure to nitrites from food and water sources may increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that can lead to serious health problems if not managed properly. Researchers are still working to identify factors that increase people’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A recent study published in pros medicine We studied the risk of type 2 diabetes associated with nitrate and nitrite intake. They found that higher nitrite intake was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, but not nitrate intake.
The full risks associated with consumption of nitrates and nitrites are unknown. For example, high intakes of nitrites may increase the risk of certain types of cancer. However, researchers are still working to understand how nitrates and nitrites are related to other disorders and conditions. Could it contribute to risk?
The researchers in this particular study looked at nitrate and nitrite exposure and the associated risk of type 2 diabetes. Their analysis included over 100,000 adults. Almost 80% of this group were women. They utilized a 24-meal recall to examine participants’ exposure to nitrates and nitrites.
They followed the participants for an average of 7.3 years with regular follow-up.The researchers documented 969 cases of type 2 diabetes during the study. They collected data on several nitrite and nitrate exposures.
- total nitrate and nitrite
- Nitrates and nitrites from food and water
- Nitrates and nitrites from additives
This study found that nitrite intake may put you at risk for type 2 diabetes. However, the researchers found no association between nitrates and disease risk. Similarly, they found that nitrite supplements, particularly sodium nitrite, may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The authors of the study, Dr. Mathilde Touvier, Head of the Nutrition Epidemiology Research Team EREN-CRESS, Inserm, INRAE, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, and Dr. Bernard Srour, Scientist at EREN-CRESS, PharmD, MPH, Inserm, INRAE, Sorbonne Paris Nord University noted the following research highlights: MNT:
“This is the first large-scale cohort study to suggest an association between dietary nitrite and increased type 2 diabetes risk. It also supports previously suggested links.”
They further suggested that the results indicated that the addition of nitrites to foods needed to be re-evaluated:
“These results provide new evidence in the context of the current debate on the need to reduce the use of nitrite additives in processed meats by the food industry and support the need for better regulation of soil contamination by fertilizers. There is a possibility.
Meanwhile, several public health authorities around the world have already advised citizens to limit consumption of foods containing controversial additives such as sodium nitrite. ”
This study had several limitations. First, researchers relied on participants’ self-reports, which could lead to errors in data collection.
Second, this study cannot conclude that nitrite intake causes type 2 diabetes. The researchers acknowledge that they were unable to verify the nitrate and nitrite exposures reported by the participants, partly due to possible selection bias.
The researchers acknowledge that they may not have detected all cases of diabetes in the participants. becomes even more difficult to do. It also shows that researchers need to do more research.
Nancy Mitchell, a nonstudy author and registered nurse with many years of experience caring for older patients with diabetes, notes the following caveats: MNT:
“This study suggests a dietary impact on metabolic health, particularly in relation to type 2 diabetes. However, the study itself cites selection bias as a limitation of their findings. Studies should involve participants who best mimic the actual lifestyle patterns and eating habits of the average person.
Diet is a major contributor to type 2 diabetes, but specific foods are often not identified as contributing to chronic disease. In fact, diabetes risk is elevated by a combination of poor dietary choices, underlying stress, sedentary habits, etc. Chronic disease is multifaceted. ”
Dr. Mathilde Touvier and Dr. Bernard Srour described areas for continued research based on data limitations.
“Since this is the first large-scale study to find these associations, these results should be replicated in other large-scale cohorts. For example, short-term intervention studies on insulin resistance can also be tested.”
