Can we take in nitrogen?

Dear Student,

We cannot breathe in nitrogen instead of oxygen because the human body in itself is designed in such a way that it can release the energy stored in the food we eat only in the presence of oxygen. Oxygen is required by us to oxidise the food we eat to release the energy form it and this is not possible in the presence of nitrogen. Also, our cells require oxygen to carry out day-to-day activities. Carbon dioxide is a waste product, that is, why it is released out from our body. Nitrogen has no effect on body, that is why, whatever the amount of nitrogen we inhale, the same amount is exhaled.


Regards