§ Mr. CashTo ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the research by Aberdeen university on nitrate levels in lettuces. [3490]
§ Mrs. BrowningThis study at Aberdeen university on the metabolism of dietary nitrate in man is funded by the Ministry and started earlier this year. Preliminary results indicate that nitrate in the diet, which derives mainly from leafy green vegetables, including lettuce, may play a significant role in protecting the body from infection by pathogenic organisms. A full assessment of this work will be made on its completion.