Since nitrates found in vegetables don't pose a health risk, why do they in processed meats? I understand that they are carcinogenic.

As background, nitrates are naturally occurring compounds that are created when plants break down nitrogen during photosynthesis. We are not aware of any evidence that has shown diets rich in nitrate containing vegetables or plants are harmful. In ...

from The World's Healthiest Foods http://ift.tt/1zAy2PG