First, a fun fact: nitrates are basically plant food that got lost on its way to the garden. They’re nitrogen-based compounds that dissolve easily, so they slip right into groundwater. The EPA sets a maximum of 10 mg/L, but if your water tastes a little flat or your test strip glows like a toxic-waste meme, it’s time to act.
Think of nitrates as the uninvited guest at a dinner party—they’re not dangerous immediately, but they linger and cause trouble. Your body converts some nitrates into nitrites, which can interfere with oxygen transport. That’s why you want them gone, especially if you’re brewing coffee for a baby or a senior.
