Celery powder as a preservative is often considered to be a healthier alternative to synthetic nitrates and nitrites, which have been linked to an increased risk of cancer and other health problems. However, it is important to note that celery powder still contains significant amounts of nitrates and nitrites, which can lead to the creation of potentially carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines under the acidic environment of the stomach and intestinal tract. This means that using celery powder (which is processed to remove many of the vitamins and antioxidants naturally occurring in celery) instead of synthetically added nitrates and nitrites may provide little difference or benefit.