Dietary Intake of Total, Animal, and Plant Proteins and Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease: Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies Publisher



Talebi S ; Majd SS ; Zeraattalabmotlagh S ; Rahimlou M ; Mohammadi H
Source: BMC Nutrition Published:2025

Abstract

Objective: Kidney health and dietary protein consumption are incompatible. This study aimed to examine the association between different types of proteins (total, animal, and plant) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for articles published up to May 7, 2023. We included prospective cohort studies that reported the association between dietary intake of total, animal, or plant proteins and the risk of CKD, based on predefined eligibility criteria. Results: Ten prospective cohort studies involving 218,741 participants and 10,794 CKD events were included. Meta-analysis indicated that higher intake of animal protein (relative risk [RR] = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77–0.97; GRADE: high certainty) and plant protein (RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67–0.98; GRADE: moderate certainty) was significantly associated with a reduced risk of CKD. However, no significant association was found between total protein intake and CKD risk (RR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.75–1.19; GRADE: low certainty). A significant linear dose-response relationship was observed between plant protein intake and lower CKD risk (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, while no significant association was observed between total protein intake and CKD risk, both animal and plant protein consumption were associated with a reduced risk. These findings highlight the potential protective role of protein sources in kidney health. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms of these associations and examine the effects of specific protein sources in diverse populations over longer follow-up periods. © The Author(s) 2025.