Join Dr. Van Dyken as she discussed Nitrates, Nitrites, Nitric Oxide and Health Effects. She discusses nitrates from plants compared to meat: how they are similar and how they differ. We have gotten many questions about nitric oxide, nitrates, and cancer enough questions that we have decided to address this topic in the video today. I know, it can get confusing when delineating nitrates from vegetables compared to nitrates in meat why is one considered good and the other considered bad? This video takes a deep dive into the research on this. Which vegetables have the highest nitrate concentrations? The answer to this is complicated: there are actually quite a few factors that determine nitrate concentrations. The concentration and amount of nitrate in plants will vary depending on the type of vegetable, its temperature, growth rate, sunlight exposure, soil moisture content and natural nitrogen content in the soil.
Here are some examples of other factors that could alter nitrate concentrations:
Organic versus conventionally grown. Organic vegetables tend to have significantly lower nitrate concentrations compared to conventionally grown vegetables. This makes sense, because conventionally grown produce tends to use nitrogen based fertilizers which increases nitrates.
Time of year grown. One study showed that lettuce grown in the summer had lower nitrates compared to lettuce grown in the winter.
Preparation methods. Some preparation methods have been shown to reduce nitrate levels. Things like peeling, removal of the stem and midribs of greens, boiling or blanching, or freezing. Did you know that the nitrate content is the highest in the skin and just below the skin of vegetables like beets and potatoes?
Storing your vegetables at room temperature. This can reduce the nitrate content of fresh vegetables.

So now that we have that out of the way, let's examine which foods, in general, have the highest nitrate concentrations: In general the leafy green vegetables had the highest concentration of nitrate.
The vegetable that takes the cake is chinese flat cabbage. We don’t commonly see that in the grocery store. Number two though, is much more easily acquired: arugula (or rocket). Then we have other greens, like false pakchoi, corn salad, mustard greens and swiss chard.The lowest vegetable corn. Wahwah.
So in more detail:
The highest green leafy was chinese flat cabbage.
The highest stem vegetable was celery.
The highest root vegetables were beet, radish and rutabaga.
Of the herbs and spices: cilantro and basil.



Other YouTube videos we have made on Nitric Oxide (or just check out our Nitric Oxide Playlist!):
1. Nitric oxide: an itty bitty but powerful molecule:    • Nitric oxide  an itty bitty but powe...  
2. Nitric Oxide: can you hum your way to better health?    • Nasal Nitric Oxide: Can you HUM your ...  
Nitric oxide as prevention or treatment of COVDI19:    • Nitric Oxide as prevention or treatme...  
Endogenous (nasal) nitric oxide and COVID19:    • Endogenous (Nasal) Nitric Oxide (NO) ...  
Humming, Vibration and Nitric oxide:    • Humming, Vibration, Nitric Oxide and ...  
3. Humming Protocol Explanation: Our protocol explained:    • Humming Protocol Explained  how to i...  

Studies cited:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NB...
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26189...
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science...
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26024...
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28105...
8. https://www.researchgate.net/publicat...
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33884...
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NB...