Is Nitrates Safe for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
For people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Nitrates is worth limiting or using with caution both during a flare and in remission. Nitrates are preservatives commonly used in cured and processed meats.
Status for MS
Why this rating?
Nitrates are preservatives commonly used in cured and processed meats. Regular high intake of processed meat is associated with health concerns, so foods containing them are generally recommended in moderation.
People who are sensitive to this ingredient may notice gi. Individual responses vary, so this symptom category does not replace the condition-specific rating above.
Editorial summary
This summary is editorial and is not part of the clinical review. Ratings above are unchanged.
What nitrates and nitrites do
Nitrates and nitrites are curing agents used in bacon, ham, hot dogs, deli meats and sausages. They preserve color and flavor and help prevent bacterial growth, and they appear on labels as sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate.
Natural versus synthetic sources
Under USDA rules, a meat cured with a natural source such as celery powder instead of sodium nitrite must be labeled uncured and can carry a claim of no nitrates or nitrites added only with a qualifier such as except for those naturally occurring in celery powder. The Center for Science in the Public Interest and Consumer Reports petitioned for changes, arguing that such products contain nitrate and nitrite residues at levels similar to conventionally cured meats, and the USDA said in 2020 that it intended to propose rules on the claims. Check the current rule before relying on an uncured label.
Why the rating is a caution
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans, Group 1, and estimated that each 50 gram portion eaten daily raises the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent, while noting that Group 1 describes how strong the evidence is and not how large the risk is. That is the basis for the advice to eat these foods in moderation, and it is why the rating is strictest for inflammatory bowel disease. Your care team can advise on what fits your own situation.
How Nitrates is rated across conditions
The same ingredient can mean different things depending on the condition. These are the ratings for every condition that has a guide for Nitrates.
| Condition | During a flare | In remission |
|---|---|---|
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) | Avoid | Avoid |
| Hashimoto's Thyroiditis | Limit / Caution | Limit / Caution |
| Graves' Disease | Limit / Caution | Limit / Caution |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) | Limit / Caution | Limit / Caution |
| Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | Limit / Caution | Limit / Caution |
| Lupus (SLE) | Limit / Caution | Limit / Caution |
Related ingredients
Same ingredient family or way of affecting the body.
Other conditions
Sources
Published sources
- Sarris, J., & Wardle, J. (Eds.). (2010). Clinical Naturopathy: An Evidence-Based Guide to Practice (1st ed.). Elsevier. ISBN 9780729539265. — literature
Clinical review
Reviewed by Morvarid Nikousokhantayar, MSc Nutrition, Certified Naturopath & Nutritionist — last reviewed September 25, 2026.
This is general dietary information, not medical advice. Talk to your care team about your individual triggers.
Want to check a full product against your conditions?
Scan a barcode with FoodSage to see Nitrates and every other ingredient checked against Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and any second condition you set. Learn about FoodSage.
