Fruits and Vegetables Reduce Metabolic Acidosis in CKD Patients.

In 71 patients with hypertensive stage 4 CKD, adding fruits and vegetables or an oral alkaline medication for 1 year caused an increase in 1-year plasma total carbon dioxide (PTCO2), which is consistent with a lessening of metabolic acidosis. PTCO2 was higher in patients receiving bicarbonate than in those receiving added fruits and vegetables. Also, kidney function did not change during the study, while urine indices of kidney injury were lower after 1 year in both groups. Blood potassium levels did not rise in either group. The findings are published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.