Many of these types of bacteria change a normal chemical in your urine, called nitrates, into another chemical, called nitrites. So, if you have nitrites in your urine, it usually means that you …

Nov 6, 2025 · Bacteria can turn nitrates into similar compounds called nitrites, which are then excreted in urine. For this reason, healthcare providers will sometimes use urine dipstick …

Nov 1, 2022 · Bacteria in the urinary tract turn nitrates into nitrites, creating nitrite-positive urine. Nitrites in urine (nitrituria) only occur when you have a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Nov 18, 2022 · When a urinalysis comes back positive for nitrites, it usually means you have a bacterial infection. Find out why you can test negative and still have an infection, when to see …

Jan 16, 2024 · Dietitian Katie Greenhill shares which foods contain nitrates and nitrites and how they affect your health.

Leafy veg including spinach, lettuce and kale, as well as beetroot and celery are some of the biggest natural sources of nitrates. These naturally occurring nitrates are thought to have health...

Nov 12, 2025 · This article explains what nitrites in urine mean, how they’re diagnosed, treatment options, and how to prevent recurrent infections. Under normal conditions, urine contains …

Nov 16, 2023 · “Nitrates and nitrites are natural chemicals that are found in soil and water as part of the earth’s nitrogen cycle,” Peart explains. “They’re naturally present in the human body and …

Sep 29, 2025 · Nitrites in prepared foods, like cured meats, act as a preservative. Learn the differences between nitrates vs. nitrites, as well as their risks and benefits.

Nitrites have the general formula RONO, where R is an aryl or alkyl group. Amyl nitrite and other alkyl nitrites have a vasodilating action and must be handled in the laboratory with caution.