Epidemiological studies have suggested that there is an association between dietary acid load (DAL) with complications and outcomes of pregnancy. The current study aimed to explore the impact of DAL on theses parameters through a prospective cohort of Iranian pregnant women. In this prospective cohort study, 812 singleton pregnant women without any medical condition, use of medications, and without following a specific diet were included. Dietary intake of participants was examined using a 117-item semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Net endogenous acid production (NEAP) and potential renal acid load (PRAL) parameters were used to explore potential DAL using the suggested formula. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used and odds ratio (OR) and 95% corresponding confidence interval (CI) were reported. DAL (NEAP and PRAL) was not associated with pregnancy outcomes including birth weight, birth height and birth head circumference (all P values > .05). NEAP was associated with preeclampsia (Model 3: OR = 0.48, 95%CI (0.25, 0.94); P trend = 0.05), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (Model 2: OR = 3.99, 95%CI (1.09, 14.53); P trend = 0.04), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (Model 3: OR = 2.45, 95%CI (1.05, 5.72); P trend = 0.03), and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) (Model 3: OR = 2.82, 95%CI (1.02, 7.78); P trend = 0.01). Moreover, PRAL was related with risk of pre-eclampsia (Model 3: OR = 0.41, 95%CI (0.19, 0.86); P trend = 0.003), SBP (Model 2: OR = 6.07, 95%CI (1.23, 29.94); P trend = 0.03), DBP (Model 3: OR = 3.62, 95% CI (1.23, 10.65); P trend = 0.03), and IUGR (Model 2: OR = 2.63, 95%CI (0.93, 7.44); P trend = 0.02). Our study focused on DAL which showed a significant association with pregnancy-related complications including higher SBP, DBP, IUGR, and pre-eclampsia. Further research with larger sample sizes in different populations might be required to evaluate the compatibility of DAL during pregnancy ARTICLE HISTORY

Dietary proteins elicit a wide range of metabolic and physiologic functions that are far beyond their traditional role as sources of energy and also indispensable amino acids. Proteins play a significant role in the regulation of appetite, food intake, body weight, and body composition. Their role in regulation of blood pressure, glucose and lipid metabolism, bone metabolism, and immune system is also shown. The role of proteins as the most satiating macronutrient in regulation of food intake, body weight and body composition is well-studied. The direct interaction between dietary proteins and the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract via communication with endogenous satiety signals, in addition to their effects on protein synthesis are major underlying mechanisms. The interaction of proteins with the GI tract can be elucidated by their effect on gastric emptying rate, GI transport and absorption, GI-brain communication via gut-brain axis, and more recently by their effect on gut micro biota. However, there is increasing evidence indicating that these effects are sourcedependent. Physicochemical properties of individual proteins, including digestion kinetics, digestibility, amino acid composition and sequence, bioactive peptides and also non-protein bioactive components conjugated with proteins are potential factors determining their physiologic and metabolic properties. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to examine the most recent findings about the role of the source of protein in regulation of food intake, body weight, and body composition.