Nitrate

Nitrate is a very important chemical that we find in many things that we eat and drink like vegetables and water. Nitrate is made up of tiny parts called atoms that help us to grow and keep our bodies healthy.

When we eat vegetables, our body takes in the nitrate that is in them and turns it into another chemical called nitrite, which helps our blood vessels to be healthy and strong. This is important because our blood vessels help to carry the blood around our body which gives us, and all the different parts of our body, energy and oxygen.

But too much nitrate can be a bad thing. This is because nitrate can combine with other chemicals in the body, making a new chemical called nitrosamines, which are very harmful and can cause cancer. So, it is important to have just the right amount of nitrate in our bodies.

In water, nitrate can come from fertilizers that farmers use to grow crops. If there is too much fertilizer, the nitrate can get into the soil and eventually into the water. This is why it is important to test water to make sure it’s safe to drink.

Overall, nitrate is important for our body and health, but we need to make sure we have just the right amount of it and be cautious of where it can come from.