The potential of salivary biomarkers of nutritional status and dietary intake: A Systematic Review

Logan et al., 2021 | J Dent | Meta Analysis

Citation

Logan D, Wallace S M, ... McKenna G. The potential of salivary biomarkers of nutritional status and dietary intake: A Systematic Review. J Dent. 2021-Dec;115:103840. doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103840

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether nutritional salivary biomarkers could be used to aid nutritional status assessment and/or support traditional dietary assessment methods for patients. DATA AND SOURCES: Searches were performed using four electronic databases; MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science. Trial registers (i.e. Cochrane), grey literature and reference lists were searched. STUDY SELECTION: Studies which measured nutritional salivary biomarkers related to nutritional status and/or dietary intake outcome were included. No restrictions on participants' age, study design, publication date, setting or health status. Animal studies, non-English language studies, commentaries, and conference abstracts were excluded. RESULTS: Study titles and abstracts were screened (n = 7982), full-texts assessed (n = 176) and 85 studies were included in a narrative synthesis. The most promising salivary biomarkers for nutritional status included: glucose, where saliva and serum levels were positively correlated in those with type 2 diabetes (T2D), higher salivary calcium levels in post-menopausal women in general and specifically those with lower bone mineral density (BMD), and salivary vitamin D to assess vitamin D status in healthy volunteers. Higher salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitrate/nitrite and fluoride were observed with increased antioxidant, nitrate/nitrite and fluoride dietary intake, respectively. A meta-analysis found significantly higher mean salivary glucose (n = 12) in T2D compared with healthy controls, but there was substantial heterogeneity (I2=94%) and evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: The most promising salivary biomarkers identified in this systematic review were, glucose, vitamin D, calcium, TAC, nitrate/nitrite and fluoride. However, this was based on a small number of studies of varying quality, with many lacking a salivary assay performance assessment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: At present, nutritional salivary biomarkers cannot be used alone to assess nutritional status or dietary intake. Further research into the most promising nutritional salivary biomarkers is required.

Key Findings

Study titles and abstracts were screened (n = 7982), full-texts assessed (n = 176) and 85 studies were included in a narrative synthesis. The most promising salivary biomarkers for nutritional status included: glucose, where saliva and serum levels were positively correlated in those with type 2 diabetes (T2D), higher salivary calcium levels in post-menopausal women in general and specifically those with lower bone mineral density (BMD), and salivary vitamin D to assess vitamin D status in healt

Outcomes Measured

• Requires manual extraction

Population

MeSH Terms

• Animals
• Biomarkers
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
• Eating
• Female
• Humans
• Nutritional Status
• Vitamin D

Evidence Classification

• Level: Meta Analysis
• Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
• Vertical: calcium

Provenance

• PMID: 34624418
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103840
• PMCID: Not in PMC
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09