Nitrate Confusion

Continued from page 2 and concluded that the cardiovascular protective effect of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may be attributed in part to its high nitrate content, mostly from leafy green vegetables and root vegetables. Researchers wrote, “The high fruits and vegetable diet may offer the cardiovascular benefits of enhanced nitric oxide production while conferring protection from formation of N-nitrosamines.” They added that the high levels of nitrate in drinking water or dietary supplements are of more concern because of possible isolated ingestion without the protective dietary components found in a complex vegetable matrix.

More recently, a team of researchers from Edith Cowan University in Australia reviewed studies investigating the health benefits and disadvantages of dietary nitrates. They concluded that evidence is insufficient to say that nitrates in food and water are carcinogenic and more studies are needed. Nitric oxide plays a key role in the body, including blood pressure regulation and heart health.

Here’s the bottom line: As part of a balanced diet, naturally occurring nitrates in fruits and vegetables have healthful cardiovascular effects because they open up blood vessels and act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. That may inhibit the formation of harmful N-nitrosamines which are associated subside; and we know the end of that story. Although there was a shortterm lull in real estate from March 2020 through the end of May 2020, it came back like a roaring lion afterward, due to the historic low interest rates and the demand backup, benefiting all those who were qualified to purchase. In turn, this fueled the immense increase in prices of 42% since the beginning of the Pandemic through today and caused the lowest inventory levels on record that are still occurring.

Hopefully when (not if) the next Pandemic occurs we will have learned quite a lot and be more prepared and pragmatic with more solid and formulated “makes sense” plans to be able to solve the issues and problems that will confront our economy and assist in helping our citizens. But you know what they say, “History usually repeats itself” and I surely hope not, next time around.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 40 years of experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S) as well as the new “Green Industry” Certification for eco-friendly construction and upgrades. For a “FREE” 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com or via https:// WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com Just email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your ideas or suggestions on future columns with your name, email, and cell number and he will call or email you back with cancer.

Eat your fruits and veggies and drink plenty of water, and don’t worry about the nitrates they contain. The total package of fruits and vegetables offers protection for your heart. And that outweighs any negative concerns about N-nitrosamines. The association between nitrate consumption and human cancer isn’t definitive. When it comes to processed meats, choose lower sodium varieties and eat them less often. Nitrates used to preserve processed meats, once exposed to high heat, turn into nitrosamines, which can be harmful to the body.

Q and A

Q: What is jicama and how can I prepare it?

A: Jicama is a white, fibrous root vegetable, native to Mexico, scientifically known as Pachyrhizus erosus. It has a mild sweet taste and crunchy texture, similar to an apple. It can be sliced and eaten raw (like apples or carrots) or added to cabbage in coleslaw and salads. It can also be added to soups and stir-fry meals. A cup of raw jicama has only 49 calories, 12 grams of carbohydrates and 6.4 grams of fiber, and it is a good source of vitamin C.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Ill and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

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BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of June 18-24, 2023

Long ago, when I was in grade school, I counted the days until the start of summer. There was always something exciting to me about that time of year. Perhaps it was that I would have no homework to do for nearly three months or that daylight would be longer so I could play outdoors later in the evenings.

Whatever the reason, summer has always been special to me. Back then I lived on the U.S. East Coast, where a hot summer day might occasionally reach 90 degrees F with a dripping wet 80% relative humidity. Today I live in the deserts of Southern California, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 110 degrees F. And, yes, the dry heat here is much more pleasant!

With the first day of summer coming this week, I’m absolutely giddy with delight! The moment it begins -- known to astronomers as the summer solstice -- occurs this year at 10:58 a.m. EDT (7:58 a.m. PDT) on June 21.

The summer solstice marks the time when the sun reaches its northernmost position over our planet and takes its longest path across the daytime sky. Depending on your latitude, the sun can remain in your daytime sky for 15 hours or more -- plenty of time to heat our air to summertime temperatures.You might ask, if the sun spends the most time in