What Does nitrite Mean
It is called nitrite to the salt that is formed when nitrous acid is combined with a basis . To understand the concept accurately, therefore, it is first necessary to be clear about several notions.
A nitrous acid is a liquid that is made up of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen . Its formula is HNO2 . A base , meanwhile, is a substance that increases the concentration of hydroxyl ions when it is in solution.
The combination of an acid and a base results in a salt . This compound is generated when the hydrogen atoms present in the acid are replaced by basic radicals.
Returning to the idea of nitrite , it is specifically the salt that arises from the combination of nitrous acid and a base . It can appear in the natural environment by the reduction of nitrate in an anaerobic environment or by the oxidation of ammonia or amines.
In the same way, it is important to know that the degradation of nitrite can lead to the generation of two substances. Specifically, one of these is considered good, nitric oxide, and another is said to be bad, nitrosamines.
It is important to know that there are a number of foods that contain nitrate and nitrite. This would be the case, for example, of lettuce, fish, celery, cereals, spinach, raw meat, fruits or dairy.
It is considered that it is necessary to carry out a controlled consumption of foods that are rich in nitrites and nitrates. However, it is also established that taking them in a fair way is beneficial for health. Thus, various scientific studies have shown that they can reduce blood pressure to reduce the chances of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
Nitrites are often used in the salting of meats . The sodium nitrite , for example, is used for the preservation of various meats and meat because, to react with the myoglobin, the red hue retains the product.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that sodium nitrite could cause cancer . According to scientific studies, the use of sodium nitrite would cause cancer in both animals and humans. For this reason its use is limited and it is suggested to avoid it.
It should be noted that a urinalysis often looks for nitrites. While it is normal for human urine to include nitrates , the appearance of nitrites can be a sign of an infection , as bacteria convert nitrates to nitrites.
An infection of this type can bring symptoms such as painful urination, fever, frequent need to go to the bathroom to urinate, urine with a bad smell or even dark appearance, weakness, tiredness ...
If the presence of nitrites in the urine is discovered, among other recommendations and guidelines, the doctor will advise the patient to take several measures to end this infection. Among them, wearing cotton underwear, drinking plenty of liquid, specifically water, or avoiding the use of intimate hygiene products that can irritate the area.
Likewise, the usual thing is that all these actions are accompanied by the monitoring by the patient of an adequate treatment with antibiotics.