RPH Research Foundation Fellow awarded a national grant to investigate the effect of Nitrate
RPH Research Foundation’s Career Advancement Fellow, Dr Catherine Bondonno has been awarded more than $679,000 under the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grant.
Dr Bondonno’s work aims to unravel the long-standing debate surrounding nitrate, a compound found in meat, water, and vegetables, and its impact on human health.
For over 50 years, regulations and concerns about cancer risks associated with nitrate consumption have shadowed its potential benefits, particularly from vegetables. The controversy stems from the conversion of nitrate to nitrite, which can lead to the formation of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines.
"Conducting six human studies, we will dissect the nitrate-cancer link and its broader health implications. This research will explore whether the dietary source of nitrate - be it from meat, water, or vegetables - alters its effects on the human body. This research also aims to investigate the potential protective role of nitrate in conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, dementia, and diabetes," said Dr Bondonno. "The current scientific and public health consensus for nitrate is that it is a potentially toxic/carcinogenic contaminant in meat, water, and vegetables. We believe that this view is incorrect: it is not supported by available evidence, but definitive studies have yet to be performed.
"This cohesive series of projects will challenge the current perspective. Results will change legislation, regulations, public health messaging, farm practices and community perceptions of nitrate-rich vegetables. They will inform the acceptable daily intake of nitrate, which currently does not differentiate between sources.
"Ultimately this will remove a barrier to increased intake of nitrate-rich vegetables and lead to higher nitrate intakes, resulting in improved cardiovascular, cognitive, and diabetic outcomes and a reduction in the current near $12 billion economic burden of these diseases to Australia," Dr Bondonno said.
RPH Research Foundation is proud to support Dr Bondonno as she continues to explore the critical link between diet and health.
