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Regulation of Dietary Nitrate and Nitrite: Balancing Essential Physiological Roles with Potential Health Risks

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Nitrite and Nitrate in Human Health and Disease

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

Abstract

Human consumption of dietary nitrate and nitrite is controversial. Exposure through processed meats is associated with gastrointestinal cancer risk while consumption of nitrate from plant food sources, the source of over 80 % of human nitrate consumption, is associated with potential cardiovascular benefits. Identifying the physiological contexts in which dietary nitrate and nitrite produce health benefits and risks is necessary for clear guidance regarding dietary consumption of nitrate-containing foods. Development and application of nitrate and nitrite concentrations in national food databases will assist scientists and regulatory agencies in addressing these questions in prospective epidemiological studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Norman G. Hord Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D. & Melissa N. Conley M.S.

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  1. Norman G. Hord Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D.
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  2. Melissa N. Conley M.S.
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Correspondence to Norman G. Hord Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA

    Nathan S. Bryan

  2. Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Joseph Loscalzo

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Hord, N.G., Conley, M.N. (2017). Regulation of Dietary Nitrate and Nitrite: Balancing Essential Physiological Roles with Potential Health Risks. In: Bryan, N., Loscalzo, J. (eds) Nitrite and Nitrate in Human Health and Disease. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46189-2_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46189-2_12

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