A case-control study by researchers from Zabol University of Medical Science in Iran found a significant association between higher dietary acid load (DAL) and increased odds of developing knee osteoarthritis (OA) among adults aged 35 to 70 years, with higher prevalence among women. Participants with higher DAL scores consumed greater amounts of meats, whole and refined grains, dietary fiber, saturated fats, and phosphorus, and fewer vegetables and fruits, compared with those with lower DAL scores. The study suggests a potential link between dietary acid load and knee OA, citing increased systemic inflammation and oxidative stress as potential mechanisms. However, the authors cautioned that the case-control design does not permit conclusions about causality and recommend longitudinal studies for further investigation.

Source: Scientific Reports