Saltpeter which is also known as potassium nitrate (KNO3) is one of the
main ingredients in food preservation department.
Majority of the companies around the world rely on this chemical to
preserve their food so they can not only be able to export the products
worldwide but also be able to distribute their product lines in the local
market as well.
In today’s post, we are going to talk about why saltpeter is an
essential chemical and what are the possible replacements if there is any that’s
much better in how they can be able to preserve both the frozen food items and
general ones.
The Main Purpose
The main purpose behind the use of saltpeter (potassium nitrate) is to preserve
the food especially packaged meat.
But, it also has other reasons for its usage.
It’s also used as a color retention especially in cured meats such as
bacon, corned beef, bologna, ham, pepperoni and hot dogs.
Saltpeter Can Cure Asthma
Rumors are true. You might not believe but, for the people who are affecting
with the asthma disease can be able to cure themselves with the use of
saltpeter chemical.
That means products that says “saltpeter” in their ingredients listing
is actually good for them.
So the use of saltpeter in the food is good for them and for their disease
as well.
Rare Benefit
It’s also known that saltpeter can be able to lower the temperature in
the body in the case of fever. Other rare benefit saltpeter provides is
improving the sensitivity of teeth’s so they can’t be able to bleed that easy when
your brush bristle somehow get in contact with your teeth gums.
Saltpeter also helps in lowering blood pressure.
Side Effects
As saltpeter has a lot of good benefits under its belt it also provides
some harmful effects on the human body.
One of which is gastroenteritis i.e. severe stomach pain, high blood
pressure (as opposed to lowering blood pressure which saltpeter sometimes do.
Consult your doctor so you can be able identify how saltpeter will affect you
specifically based on your current health and condition), kidney problems, anemia,
weakness and torpor.
Higher dose of saltpeter can also cause depression.
Any Natural Alternative
Absolutely, the healthier and side effects free alternative to
saltpeter is beetroot juice.
There are many benefits to using beet juice but, here are a few:
·
Lower blood pressure
·
Exercise stamina
·
Muscle power
·
Slow dementia
·
Healthy weight
·
Cancer prevention
·
Potassium
·
Other minerals
·
Vitamin C
·
Liver support
·
Folate
·
Reduce cholesterol
Beet juice can be a good substitute in the regards of curing meat in a chemically
free way. Beetroot juice has the ability to transform the bacteria in to
nitrites which is essential in preserving food items.
Are They Still Using?
Many food items products manufacturers still use KNO3 as part of their
main preservative ingredient but, many countries are now focusing on stopping
the use of this chemical because in larger quantities it’s not really good for
humans to consume.
Even in some countries it’s now completely banned and companies no
longer allowed using this chemical.
Instead, they are using sodium nitrate or sodium nitrite as their main preservation
method nowadays.
Conclusion
No matter if saltpeter has side effects or not. But, one thing is true.
It’s one of the main ingredients in packaged meats that you eat on a
daily basis.
It has benefits as well but, side effects may come on top of the positive
points because they are so handful.
If you use cured meat in your diet make sure it doesn’t contain whole
lot saltpeter in it.
If it does, it’s better to consume the small portion of that meat one
meal at a time so you’ll be able to consume saltpeter in minimal quantifies
preventing any side effects causing you.
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