What foods contain nitrate?

Last Updated:

Nitrate is found in high amounts in green leafy vegetables, beetroot, radish, rhubarb, and more.[1][2][3] See the table below for more information.

Nitrate-rich vegetables (mg per 100 gram)

NITRATE-RICH VEGETABLESNitrates (mg)Total oxalate (mg)Soluble oxalate (mg)Vitamin K~1~ (μg)
Arugula/rocket362.47.1<0.5108.6
Turnip greens346.750251
Dill259159600
Collard greens254.5450437.1
Spinach248.5656542.6482.9
Swiss chard236.3964207.7830
Turnips217.42100.1
Rhubarb199.980522329.3
Beetroot199.212174.90.2
Celery196.417.5<0.529.3
Mustard greens187.5128.7257.5
Radish177.39.2<0.51.3
Lettuce168.913.6<0.5126.3
Watercress16410<0.5250
Bok choy162245.5
Kale137.520704.8
Parsley130.47136761640

This table is composed of averages from multiple samples. Farming techniques, transport, storage conditions, and cooking methods can all greatly affect the actual nitrate and oxalate content of food.
References: Jackson et al. Nutr Res Rev. 2017.[4] ● Lidder and Webb. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013.[5] ● Griesenbeck et al. Nutr J. 2009.[6] ● Tamme et al. Food Addit Contam. 2006.[7] ● Siener et al. Food Chem. 2006. DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.05.059 ● Hönow and Hesse. Food Chem. 2002.[8] ● Santamaria et al. J. Sci. Food Agric. 1999.[9]Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical databasesFoodData Central

References
2.^Vidal EA, Alvarez JM, Araus V, Riveras E, Brooks MD, Krouk G, Ruffel S, Lejay L, Crawford NM, Coruzzi GM, Gutiérrez RANitrate in 2020: Thirty Years from Transport to Signaling Networks.Plant Cell.(2020 Jul)
3.^Hosseini MJ, Dezhangah S, Esmi F, S Gharavi-Nakhjavani M, Hashempour-Baltork F, Mirza Alizadeh AA worldwide systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of nitrate and nitrite in vegetables and fruits.Ecotoxicol Environ Saf.(2023 Jun 1)
4.^Jackson J, Patterson AJ, MacDonald-Wicks L, McEvoy MThe role of inorganic nitrate and nitrite in CVDNutr Res Rev.(2017 Dec)
6.^Griesenbeck JS, Steck MD, Huber JC Jr, Sharkey JR, Rene AA, Brender JDDevelopment of estimates of dietary nitrates, nitrites, and nitrosamines for use with the Short Willet Food Frequency QuestionnaireNutr J.(2009 Apr 6)
7.^Tamme T, Reinik M, Roasto M, Juhkam K, Tenno T, Kiis ANitrates and nitrites in vegetables and vegetable-based products and their intakes by the Estonian populationFood Addit Contam.(2006 Apr)
9.^Santamaria P, Elia A, Serio F, Todaro EA survey of nitrate and oxalate content in fresh vegetablesJ. Sci. Food Agric..(1999 SEPT)