Hello,

I have a question regarding the harmful additive E 250 – Sodium Nitrite, which is used as a preservative in sausages (where I always doubt the quality), but also in ham... And now I'm almost obsessed, scanning all the hams in stores, and I can't find any that does not contain this sodium nitrite :-( So, is it better to remove ham, especially for children and breastfeeding women, from the diet?

Or is there any without sodium nitrite? If so, I would appreciate a tip.

The group of nitrites is crucial for food manufacturers - they have antibacterial effects, serve as color stabilizers (in meat products, they enhance the color, making them more sellable), and also prevent the oxidation of fats. These substances are problematic for our health mainly on two levels:

1. Nitrites combine with certain substances in foods to create so-called nitrosamines, which are highly carcinogenic. Some manufacturers try to mitigate these effects by fortifying some antioxidants (vitamins C, E), but these are almost always of synthetic origin, raising the question of whether the overall effect is worsened (due to pro-oxidation effects).

2. These preservatives tend to negatively affect the diversity of gut microbiota; their regular consumption consequently has an indirect impact on the functioning of health systems (immune, hormonal, nervous systems, etc.).

In practice, it is indeed challenging to buy processed meats without the presence of these additives. In this context, it is advantageous (if you must eat processed meats) to produce these foods at home without these components. It is not complicated and is substantially cheaper financially.

You are thinking in the right direction; it is always more beneficial to avoid these additives in your diet.

Themes:  Sodium nitrite   Preservative