Turkey has a reputation as a healthier alternative to red meat But there’s an ongoing debate about whether processed turkey contains harmful nitrates In this article, we’ll uncover the truth about nitrates in turkey and how to enjoy turkey safely.
What Are Nitrates?
Nitrates are chemical compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen They occur naturally in vegetables, fruits, grains, and even drinking water. Nitrates give vegetables like spinach, beets, and carrots their distinctive flavors
In processed meats like hot dogs, ham, bacon, and deli meat, sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite are used as preservatives and color fixatives. When added to meat, nitrates slow down bacterial growth and maintain the pink/red color.
However, there are concerns that added nitrates can form cancer-causing nitrosamines in the body. This has sparked controversy over their use in processed meats.
Do Nitrates Occur Naturally in Turkey?
Like other animal proteins, turkey contains small amounts of nitrates naturally. The levels depend on the turkey’s diet and environment.
On average, nitrates make up 58mg per 100g of turkey meat. That’s considered very low compared to plant sources like spinach (741mg per 100g) and beetroot (387mg per 100g).
So plain, unprocessed turkey meat doesn’t provide much dietary nitrate on its own. The nitrate content only becomes a concern when extra nitrates are added during processing.
Does Processed Turkey Contain Added Nitrates?
This depends on the specific product. Processed turkey includes deli meat, turkey bacon, turkey hot dogs, smoked turkey, canned turkey, turkey sausage, and turkey pepperoni.
To stop bacterial growth during processing, many of these products contain added sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate. However, some processed turkey is available without added nitrates:
-
Uncured/No Nitrates Added: These turkeys have no added nitrates or nitrites. They rely on natural preservatives like celery powder.
-
Organic: By USDA standards, certified organic processed turkey cannot contain synthetic nitrates.
-
Pre-Cooked: Fully cooked turkey like roasted deli meat often skips added nitrites because bacteria is killed during cooking.
So while many processed turkeys contain extra nitrates, nitrate-free options are available if you check the labels.
Which Turkey Products Commonly Contain Nitrates?
According to industry estimates, these turkey products are most likely to contain added nitrates:
-
Smoked turkey – Used for flavor, pink color. Has around 1.5mg nitrates per 100g.
-
Turkey bacon – Mimics bacon’s pink color and tangy taste. Has approximately 5mg nitrates per 100g.
-
Deli turkey – For longer shelf life. Contains 0.5mg nitrates per 100g on average.
-
Turkey hot dogs – Gives the characteristic hot dog snap and pink hue. Up to 9mg nitrates per 100g.
-
Canned turkey – Prevents spoilage in the can. Roughly 1mg nitrates per 100g.
So while fresh turkey meat is very low in nitrates, popular processed versions like bacon and deli meat often contain added nitrates.
Health Concerns Around Nitrates in Meat
The controversy around added nitrates relates to how they’re processed in the body.
When nitrates interact with amino acids, they can form nitrosamines – compounds linked to cancer in studies. High intake may also cause methaemoglobinaemia, which reduces oxygen in the blood.
However, human studies on cancer risk have been mixed. Processed meat is considered “probably carcinogenic” by WHO, though the direct culpability of added nitrates is unclear. Most experts agree moderation is key.
For vulnerable groups like pregnant women and young children, avoiding added nitrates is recommended. The precautionary principle applies to nitrates in processed meat.
Tips for Choosing Healthier Turkey
Here are some tips for picking turkey products with minimal or no added nitrates:
-
Check labels for “uncured”, “no nitrates/nitrites added”, or organic claims
-
Choose plain, unprocessed turkey like fresh breast or whole turkey
-
Limit consumption of smoked, cured, and pre-sliced turkey
-
Opt for nitrate-free bacon alternatives like turkey or chicken
-
Make homemade turkey sausage using natural spices
-
Choose turkey hot dogs marked “uncured” or organic
With some savvy label reading, it’s possible to reap the nutritional benefits of turkey while minimizing any risks from added nitrates.
The Takeaway on Nitrates in Turkey
While unprocessed turkey meat contains little natural nitrate, many popular turkey products like bacon and deli meat contain added sodium nitrite/nitrate. This acts as a preservative and color fixative.
There are some health concerns around added nitrates forming carcinogenic compounds. However, human studies are inconclusive so far. Moderation and avoidance in children/pregnancy are recommended.
Luckily, there are ample options to choose turkey without added nitrates. Overall, turkey remains one of the healthier protein options, as long as care is taken to minimize processed versions high in sodium and additives.
By understanding the nitrate content in different turkey products, we can make informed choices to get the benefits of turkey safely. With some easy substitutions like uncured bacon or homemade sausage, we can still enjoy the delicious versatility of turkey.
Are Deli Meat Labels Misleading You? Here Are the Facts | Oz Health
FAQ
Does boar’s head turkey have nitrates?
Does Subway turkey have nitrates?
Does Oscar Mayer turkey have nitrates?
Does deli turkey have nitrites?
No. If you want the purest turkey possible for your sandwiches, then roasting at home is the best option. But there are deli turkey choices on the market that do not contain nitrites. Boar’s Head Brand has varieties without nitrites as well as an all-natural deli turkey which also contains no phosphates (an added bonus).
Are there nitrates in deli meat?
Bacon. A 100-gram serving of bacon has 5.5 milligrams of nitrates. Deli meat. Deli meat is another major source of harmful nitrates. Cured deli meats on average have less than half a milligram of nitrates per 100 grams of meat.
Which meat has the highest nitrates?
Of these, the following have the highest levels of nitrates: Ham. A 100-gram serving of cured ham has a little less than 1 milligram of nitrates. This is the source of the iconic pink color of cured hams. Bacon. A 100-gram serving of bacon has 5.5 milligrams of nitrates. Deli meat.
What foods contain nitrates?
Nitrates are molecules naturally found in air, soil, water, and some foods. These foods they are naturally found in are green vegetables (such as lettuce, spinach, and broccoli) as well as root vegetables (such as carrots and beetroot). But nitrates are also added to some foods, especially cured meats, such as deli meat and bacon.