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For a long time nitrate has been viewed warily, with previous research showing it could potentially be linked to causing cancer. However, subsequent research has revealed dietary nitrate also has various cardiovascular health benefits, which could help reduce the risk of related conditions such as heart disease, dementia and diabetes.

Edith Cowan University鈥檚 (ECU) hopes to find out how and why nitrate has such contrasting potential risks and benefits.

In research published in , Dr Catherine Bondonno reviewed nitrate research and said the key may lie in where it comes from.

鈥淲e get nitrate from three major dietary sources: meat, water and vegetables,鈥� she said.

鈥淣itrate鈥檚 reputation as a health threat stems from 1970, when two studies showed it can form N-nitrosamines, which are highly carcinogenic in laboratory animals.

鈥淗owever, no human studies have confirmed its potential dangers, and our clinical and observational studies support nitrate preventing cardiovascular disease, if it鈥檚 sourced from vegetables.

鈥淪o the review looked to unpack all of that, identify new ways forward and ways that we can solve this puzzle, because it鈥檚 really time to address it: it鈥檚 been 50 years.鈥�

Despite recent research indicating the source of nitrate may affect its health benefits and risks, current dietary guidelines relating to nitrate have been in place since the 1970s and don鈥檛 differentiate between nitrate from meat, vegetables or water.

Bondonno said while the 1970s animal studies reported a small incidence of malignant tumours, there was evidence not all nitrates deserve to be 鈥榯arred with the same brush鈥�.

鈥淔or instance, unlike meat- and water-derived nitrate, nitrate-rich vegetables contain high levels of vitamin C and/or polyphenols that may inhibit formation of those harmful N-nitrosamines associated with cancer,鈥� she said.

Bondonno said it was vital more research was conducted so guidelines could be updated.

鈥淭he public are unlikely to listen to messages to increase intake of nitrate-rich vegetables, if they are concerned about a link between nitrate intake and cancer.鈥�

However, she stressed while official guidelines hadn鈥檛 changed, the apparent benefits of nitrate had seen many people potentially put themselves at risk.

鈥淲e need to be sure nitrate-rich vegetables don鈥檛 actually have an increased risk of cancer if we consume a higher amount,鈥� she said.

鈥淗igh dosage nitrate supplements are already used to improve physical performance in sport, while vegetable nitrate extracts are being added to cured meat products with a 鈥榗lean label鈥� claim, purporting to be better for you.

鈥淪o we really need to get this right.鈥�

Given its divided experts in the field, Bondonno said it was understandable people may be confused as to whether nitrate is good or bad for them.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e probably thinking, 鈥業f I can鈥檛 have a salad, what CAN I have?鈥欌�� she said.

Despite the debate, she said current evidence suggests people should aim to get their nitrate from vegetables 鈥� but there was no need to go overboard.

鈥淒ark green, leafy vegetables and beetroot are good sources, our research shows one cup of raw, or half a cup cooked per day is enough to have the benefits on cardiovascular health,鈥� she said.

鈥淲e know processed meat isn鈥檛 good for us and we should limit our intake, but whether it鈥檚 the nitrate in them that is causing the problem or something else, we don鈥檛 know.

鈥淚t just further emphasises the need to investigate dietary nitrate to clarify the message for people.

鈥淭he potential cancer link was raised 50 years ago; now it鈥檚 time to conduct an in-depth analysis to distinguish fact from fiction.鈥�

Image credit: iStock.com/Farknot_Architect