Nitrogen metabolism of gut bacteria can provide health benefits. Specifically, gut microbes metabolise dietary nitrates and nitrites and prevent the formation of cancer-causing compounds called nitrosamines. Research published in The FEBS Journal sheds light on these processes and pinpoints which types of bacteria are most important.
The findings highlight the importance of the gut microbiota in preventing the formation of harmful nitrogen metabolites, potentially decreasing the risk of certain cancers. The study also illustrates how the microbiota facilitates crosstalk between our diet and the gut, thus having important implications for both health and disease.