Re: Alkalinity of digestive system increases risk of nitrite poisoning

 More on the dangers of alkalinizing the stomach acid leading to microbial overgrowth and nitrite formation:

http://books.google.com/books?id=QkorAAAAYAAJ&pg=PT361&lpg=PT361&dq

Pages 8-6 through 8-10. On page 8-9 they mention how an achlohydric (lacking stomach acid) stomach not only increases the growth of bacteria, but also increases nitrite formation. 

The primary source of these nitrates that are being converted to nitrites?  Vegetables.  Again, this is another reason it is so important to maintain proper stomach acidity.