Background: The higher dietary acid load may affect blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and insulin levels. The purpose of this systematic review study is to examine the relation of dietary acid load with blood pressure and blood glucose.
Methods: We searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Medline up to July 2016, using the keywords "dietary acid load", "serum glucose", "insulin resistance" and "hypertension ". 12 studies (6 cross-sections, 5 cohorts and 1 intervention) were included in this systematic review.
Results: Out of eleven articles related to blood pressure, three studies showed a significant relationship between dietary acid load scale and hypertension. Three studies found only a significant association between dietary acid load and systolic blood pressure, while other studies did not show any significant correlation between dietary acid load and systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Moreover, in relation to blood glucose control, among eight studies, one study demonstrated a significant relationship between increasing dietary acid load and the incidence of diabetes. One study reported a significant relation of dietary acid load with fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin concentration. In addition, two studies indicated a significant correlation between increased dietary acid load and insulin resistance, but other studies not revealed a meaningful relationship.
Conclusion: Since most studies suggest a significant association between increased dietary acid load and higher blood pressure, therefore it seems which dietary acid load can effect on blood pressure. The results of the investigation of the relationship between dietary acid load with glucose, insulin levels or diabetes have many contradictions. According to limited studies in this field, there is a need to further trial or prospective studies regarding the dietary acid load and the incidence of diabetes, insulin levels, and other blood glucose markers.
