Elevated hypertension risk associated with higher dietary acid load: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background & aims: The association between dietary acid load and hypertension risk is inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize effect of dietary acid load on blood pressure.

Methods: A comprehensively search was performed in electronic databases including EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. Summary ORs and their corresponding 95% CIs were computed assuming a randomized model or fixed model.

Results: Ten publications comprising 4 cohort and 6 cross-sectional studies were eligible for meta-analysis. There were 8 studies about potential renal acid load (PRAL) and 4 about net endogenous acid production (NEAP). Essential hypertension was statistically associated with higher PRAL (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02-1.17). Our findings also demonstrated a positive impact of higher PRAL on elevating both diastolic pressure (WMD = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.67-1.26) and systolic pressure (WMD = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.12-2.03). A 35% increased risk of hypertension associated with higher NEAP was identified (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.03-1.78).

Conclusions: The current study suggests that dietary acid load might be potential risk factor of hypertension.

Keywords: Dietary acid load; Hypertension risk; NEAP; PRAL.