A new study published in Acta Diabetologica has found a significant inverse association between the Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) and the risk of developing diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in U.S. adults.

The research, based on data from 6,725 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2020), aimed to evaluate whether individuals with higher OBS—a composite score reflecting the balance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant exposures—have a lower likelihood of DKD. DKD was defined as diabetes coexisting with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g or an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m².
OBS was calculated using 20 dietary and lifestyle components, including intake of antioxidant-rich foods and engagement in healthy behaviors. 

Participants in the highest quartile of total OBS had a 42% lower odds of having DKD than those in the lowest quartile (adjusted OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.48–0.70). Similar associations were observed for both dietary OBS (OR: 0.57) and lifestyle OBS (OR: 0.64). A nonlinear, inverted 'L'-shaped curve was found for lifestyle OBS and DKD risk, with a turning point at a score of 3, above which the protective effect of higher lifestyle OBS was most significant.