How Nitrogen Can Harm The Body

*Nitrogen is essential to life, yet too much may be harmful.

*Nitrogen (with oxygen) naturally transforms into nitrates, and ingested nitrates are transformed into nitrites in the body's digestive system.

*These nitrites oxidize iron in the hemoglobin, forming methemoglobin ,which can interfere with the bloods ability to transform oxygen to individual cells.

*Most children and adults are able to convert methemoglobin back to oxyhemoglobin without noticeable trouble, but for infants and pregnant women, ingesting too much nitrate may have serious consequences.