I just picked up a bottle of this on a whim and I am really confused about this stuff. I see that it is used for stump remover, fertilizers, an ingredient in fireworks, and also as a sports supplement- LOL. I am tempted to just throw this out because I can't believe that it can be any good to ingest. Anyone have good data or know of any studies on this for human consumption?
I can't post links because my post count is too low, but... I would assume that you are aware that nitrates have been well regarded by weight lifters for its vasodilation capabilities. KNO3 is nitrate bound to potassium. Why potassium? More nitrates per molecule than other elements, plus potassium has its own benefits.
Courtesy of Jost Chemical: Potassium Nitrate can be used as a nutritional supplement. Potassium works with sodium to normalize heart rhythms and to regulate the body’s waste balance. It also preserves proper alkalinity of body fluids and assists in reducing high blood pressure.
Courtesy of Oxford Journals (partially covers a study using KNO3 salt): Inorganic nitrate from dietary and endogenous sources is emerging as a substrate for in vivo generation of nitric oxide (NO) and other reactive nitrogen oxides. Dietary amounts of nitrate clearly have robust NO-like effects in humans, including blood pressure reduction, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and vasoprotective activity. In animal models, nitrate protects against ischaemia–reperfusion injuries and several other types of cardiovascular disorders. In addition, nitrate most surprisingly decreases whole body oxygen cost during exercise with preserved or even enhanced maximal performance. Oxidative stress and reduced NO bioavailability are critically linked to development of hypertension and other forms of cardiovascular diseases. Mechanistically, a central target for the effects of nitrate and its reaction products seems to be the mitochondrion and modulation of oxidative stress. All in vivo effects of nitrate are achievable with amounts corresponding to a rich intake of vegetables, which are particularly rich in this anion. A theory is now emerging suggesting nitrate as an active component in vegetables contributing to the beneficial health effects of this food group, including protection against cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes.
I can't attest to safety of long-term use; however, according to a member on this forum,
The reason why there's concern over recreational use is conversion to nitrosamine, and high circulating levels can be a cause for concern. Dosing vitamin C with the KNO3 is a method to reduce that conversion/circulating level.