Relationships between sodium, fats and carbohydrates on blood pressure, cholesterol and HbA1c: an umbrella review of systematic reviews

Background

The relationship between nutrition and health is complex and the evidence to describe it broad and diffuse. This review brings together evidence for the effect of nutrients on cardiometabolic risk factors.

Methods

An umbrella review identified systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses estimating the effects of fats, carbohydrates and sodium on blood pressure, cholesterol and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Science Citation Index were search through 26 May 2020, with supplementary searches of grey literature and websites. English language systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included that assessed the effect of sodium, carbohydrates or fat on blood pressure, cholesterol and HbA1c. Reviews were purposively selected using a sampling framework matrix. The quality of evidence was assessed with A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2) checklist, evidence synthesised in a narrative review and causal pathways diagram.

Results

Forty-three systematic reviews were included. Blood pressure was significantly associated with sodium, fibre and fat. Sodium, fats and carbohydrates were significantly associated with cholesterol. Monounsaturated fat, fibre and sugars were associated with HbA1c.

Conclusion

Multiple relationships between nutrients and cardiometabolic risk factors were identified and summarised in an accessible way for public health researchers. The review identifies associations, inconsistencies and gaps in evidence linking nutrition to cardiometabolic health.