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Review
. 2024 Feb 20;16(5):574.
doi: 10.3390/nu16050574.

Dieta de la Milpa: A Culturally-Concordant Plant-Based Dietary Pattern for Hispanic/Latine People with Chronic Kidney Disease

Annabel Biruete  1   2 , Gabriela Leal-Escobar  3 , Ángeles Espinosa-Cuevas  4 , Luis Mojica  5 , Brandon M Kistler  1
Affiliations
Review

Dieta de la Milpa: A Culturally-Concordant Plant-Based Dietary Pattern for Hispanic/Latine People with Chronic Kidney Disease

Annabel Biruete et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) disproportionately affects minorities in the United States, including the Hispanic/Latine population, and is a public health concern in Latin American countries. An emphasis on healthy dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets, has been suggested as they are associated with a lower incidence of CKD, slower CKD progression, and lower mortality in kidney failure. However, their applicability may be limited in people from Latin America. The Dieta de la Milpa (Diet of the Cornfield) was recently described as the dietary pattern of choice for people from Mesoamerica (Central Mexico and Central America). This dietary pattern highlights the intake of four plant-based staple foods from this geographical region, corn/maize, common beans, pumpkins/squashes, and chilies, complemented with seasonal and local intake of plant-based foods and a lower intake of animal-based foods, collectively classified into ten food groups. Limited preclinical and clinical studies suggest several health benefits, including cardiometabolic health, but there is currently no data concerning CKD. In this narrative review, we describe and highlight the potential benefits of the Dieta de la Milpa in CKD, including acid-base balance, protein source, potassium and phosphorus management, impact on the gut microbiota, inflammation, and cultural appropriateness. Despite these potential benefits, this dietary pattern has not been tested in people with CKD. Therefore, we suggest key research questions targeting measurement of adherence, feasibility, and effectiveness of the Dieta de la Milpa in people with CKD.

Keywords: Dieta de la Milpa; chronic kidney disease; dietary pattern.

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Conflict of interest statement

A.B. has received honoraria from Amgen, research grants from Keryx Pharmaceuticals for work unrelated to the present manuscript, is part of the Next Generation Scientists Cohort of the National Dairy Council, and served as a scientific consultant for IGH Naturals, Inc. and Ardelyx. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results. BMK has received research funding from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, the National Kidney Foundation, and served as a scientific consultant or member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism, Journal of Renal Nutrition, Abbott Nutrition Health Institute, and Fresenius Medical Care.

Figures

Figure 2
Figure 2
Proposed benefits of the Dieta de la Milpa in CKD.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Dieta de la Milpa description by food groups. Adapted with permission from [20].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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