Nutrition and cardiometabolic diseases

Cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease and stroke, remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. These conditions are closely interconnected with other metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and fatty liver disease, which share common risk factors and biological pathways. Together, they form a group of cardiometabolic diseases that pose a major public health challenge across populations. They often share underlying mechanisms like atherosclerosis, chronic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, which are strongly influenced by modifiable biological risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose regulation.

We explore how dietary habits and eating patterns influence the prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases, as well as their impact on the biological mechanisms involved. We study the impact of nutrition in the context of advanced treatments aimed at reducing cardiometabolic risks, including antihypertensives, lipid-lowering agents, antidiabetic drugs, and weight-loss medications, like GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Focus

Our research focuses on:

• Dietary patterns such as sustainable diets, plant-forward diets, an ultra-processed diet, and diets based on national dietary guidelines
• Food groups, including dairy, fruits and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains
• Nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as sodium, potassium, polyphenols, fibres, animal and plant proteins, and polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Non-nutritive aspects of diets, including temporal eating patterns, circadian alignment of food intake, and food matrix characteristics
• Interactions between dietary intake and other lifestyle behaviours

Studies and trials

We conduct prospective cohort studies in diverse populations as well as randomized controlled trials in patients at high risk of cardiometabolic disease. Our work is supported by advanced statistical methods, meta-analyses, and causal inference models. We collaborate with hospitals, academic institutions, and international public health agencies.

Beyond advancing scientific understanding, our research contributes to reducing health inequalities by addressing social determinants of health and promotes sustainable dietary transitions that simultaneously support human and planetary health. Our research informs national and international food and health policies, with team members serving on independent advisory boards and expert committees.