Potential Renal Acid Load: Correlation with the Prevalence of Hypertension, Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Hospitalized Patients

Abstract

Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) represents the ability of a food to produce acid or base precursors. Proteins increase acid production, while fruits and vegetables constitute alkaline precursors. Diets with high RPAL lead to mild metabolic acidosis and contribute to the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Objective: To investigate the association between dietary PRAL and the prevalence of hypertension (HTN), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and obesity in hospitalized patients at the Centro Médico Docente La Trinidad. Methods: Epidemiological, descriptive, cross-sectional study with direct sources, including 27 patients (mean age 53.85 years). Energy, macronutrients, fruits and vegetables intake were determined by means of a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and PRAL by means of the method described by Remer and Manz. Results: Prevalence of overweight/obesity, HTN, and T2D: 78%, 48%, and 11%, respectively. The average consumption of calories and proteins was higher and that of fruits and vegetables, lower than the recommended requirements. Diets had an average PRAL of 37 mEq/day. 66.66% of overweight/obese patients and 61.53% with HTN had an PRAL >30 mEq/l. No correlation was found between PRAL and the registered pathologies. Conclusion: All patients had elevated PRAL induced by high protein consumption and insufficient intake of vegetables. No significant correlation was found between PRAL and the prevalence of obesity/overweight, HTN, and T2D. It is recommended to implement educational strategies to raise patients awareness regarding the importance of monitoring the acid content of their diets.