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Are foods containing nitrite or nitrate safe?

Yes, scientific evidence indicates that foods with added nitrite and naturally containing nitrate are safe for human consumption. No restrictions of these foods are supported by science.

Although vegetables are a major source of dietary nitrate, scientists have concluded that the benefits of eating them far outweigh any potential risk of their contribution to nitrite levels in the body. In fact, the conversion of dietary nitrate to nitrite has antimicrobial benefits in the mouth and stomach. Some epidemiological studies show a reduced rate of gastric and intestinal cancer in groups with a high vegetable-based nitrate intake.