Research Interests
My research program and expertise span from molecular to human trials and aim to identify nutritional strategies to prevent and treat cardio-metabolic and musculoskeletal diseases. Our overall goal is to better understand the mechanisms by which a certain diet, functional food, dietary supplement, or phytonutrient prevents and/or improves disease conditions and evaluate their safety and effectiveness in clinical trials.
High consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower incidence of chronic diseases including cardiometabolic diseases. This fact has been partially attributed to the high polyphenol content of these foods. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites of plants implicated in ultraviolet radiation defense and provide plants with resistance against pathogens. Polyphenols not only contribute to the sensory quality (taste, color, and flavor) of plant foods but also have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-obesogenic, and bone-protective properties.
We currently use animal models of hypertension including angiotensin II, obesity such as high-fat, high-sucrose diet, diabetes, heart failure (coronary artery ligation), pulmonary disease (e-cigarette smoking), and osteoporosis to investigate the protective role of plant-based foods, especially berries, in cardio-metabolic and musculoskeletal parameters including endothelial function, blood pressure, cardiac function, pulmonary function, insulin resistance, body composition, bone and muscle quality. We also seek to determine the mechanisms by which these bioactive compounds exert their effects with a focus on inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut dysbiosis, which are all augmented in these conditions.
Additionally, we have recently received funding to confirm our findings in humans. We will assess the effectiveness of daily consumption of blueberries on the macro- and microvasculature, gut microbiota, and cognitive function in individuals with high blood pressure and prediabetes.
Current Projects
- Effects of blueberries on heart, brain, and gut health in Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White adults with high blood pressure
- Blueberries for heart, brain, and gut health in females with prediabetes
- Berries prevent hypertension and cardiac damage by modulating the gut microbiota and attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation in rats treated with angiotensin II
- Impact of berry consumption on gut microbiota, insulin resistance, blood pressure, and inflammation in mice consuming a high-fat diet
- Evaluation of polyphenol content and antioxidant properties of berry-derived exosome-like nanoparticles
- Comparison of polyphenol and glucosinolate content, and antioxidant capacity of hydroponic- and soil-grown kale
- Effects of baru nut on palmitate-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells
- Assessing biochemical and physiological effects of vaping CBD oil in young adults
Current Grant Funding
Past Grant Funding
