NUTRITION AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
The Nutrition and Cardiovascular Health Unit of CCUL seeks to advance our understanding of the impact of nutrition in cardiovascular behaviour, in health and disease, including the relationship between dietary patterns, with a focus on the Mediterranean Diet, and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). By developing evidence-based strategies for both primary and secondary prevention, this unit strives to mitigate the burden of cardiovascular disease and promote cardiovascular health.
The link between nutrition and CVD is well-established, with dietary patterns significantly impacting both the development and management of CVD. A healthy diet is considered one of the most impactful cornerstones of cardiovascular disease prevention, influencing multiple CVD risk factors, such as, blood pressure, blood lipids, obesity, inflammation and endothelial function.
This Unit will explore the relationship between diet and cardiovascular health, with a focus on both preventive measures and rehabilitation strategies. This unit recognizes the importance of implementing comprehensive programs targeting individuals at various stages of cardiovascular risk, from school-based programs to cardiovascular rehabilitation programs.
RESEARCH TEAM
Margarida Pinto, Ana, PhD
GROUP LEADER
Ana Margarida Pinto is a dietitian/nutritionist (5634N) and assistant professor at FMUL. She trained as a dietitian at FMUL and completed a Master’s Degree in Nutrition, followed by a PhD in Nutritional Sciences, at King’s College London (KCL). As a Postdoctoral Research Associate at KCL, Ana conducted clinical trials on the acute effects of polyphenol and fibre-rich drinks on cardiometabolic outcomes and cognition, and the impact of replacing wheat flour with cellular chickpea powder on the glycaemic and gut hormone responses in healthy individuals. Currently, Ana is engaged in pedagogical activities with undergraduate and master’s students at FMUL in the area of nutrition. Ana’s current research interests include personalised nutrition interventions (based on the Mediterranean diet) for patients enrolled in a phase III cardiac rehabilitation programme in Lisbon and promotion of healthy lifestyles in school-based community programs. Ciencia ID: 8918-C506-D45E. ORCID: 0000-0001-9364-905X.
E-mail: aapinto@medicina.ulisboa.pt
Ferreira-Pêgo, Cíntia, PhD
Senior Researcher
Cíntia Ferreira-Pêgo is a registered dietitian/nutritionist (3301N) with a degree in Human Nutrition and
Dietetics from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain (2007-2010). She holds a Master’s degree in Training
and Sports Nutrition from the Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain (2010-2012) and earned her Ph.D.
with International Mention in Nutrition and Metabolism from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain, and
the University of Arkansas, USA (2013-2016).
Currently, her primary research interests lie in the relationship between dietary habits—particularly
plant-based diets such as vegetarianism and the Mediterranean diet—body composition, metabolic
markers, and the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Her work emphasizes
personalized nutrition interventions, focusing on dietary patterns or the specific consumption of foods
and beverages, and health and diseases.
Ciencia ID: 4115-8C7E-28D5.
ORCID: 0000-0001-6930-4107.
Email: cintia.pego@ulusofona.pt