- FF18, Peninsula Allied Health Centre, College of St Mark & St John, Plymouth, PL6 8BH
- +44 1752 587585
- raul.bescos@plymouth.ac.uk

Profiles
Dr Raul Bescos Garcia
Lecturer in Dietetics (Physiology Specialist)
School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health)
Biography
Biography
I am lecturer specialised in Human Physiology. I have worked in several institutions in Spain, Australia and the United Kingdom. I currently teach in modules within the BSc (Hons) Dietetics and the MSc Human Nutrition among other courses within the Faculty of Health. My research focuses on the link between the oral microbiome and cardiovascular health. We are paying special attention to diet, exercise training and oral care products as key modulators of the oral microbiome. I supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research projects in this area of research. I currently welcome applications from fully-funded prospective PhD students.
Qualifications
2015 Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, University of Plymouth (UK)
2011 PhD Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Barcelona (Spain)
2008 MSc in Physical Activity and Health, University of Barcelona (Spain)
2007 BSc in Sport Science, University of Barcelona (Spain)
2003 BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Barcelona (Spain)
Professional membership
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (recognition reference number: PR098846)
Fellow of the Physiological Society (Membership 137026)
Key publications
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
Currently, I lead the following modules:
- Pathophysiology (DIET501), BSc (Hons) Dietetics
- Applied sports nutrition (HNUT703), MSc in Human Nutrition
I also support teaching and marking in the following modules:
- Physiology and genetics (DIET404), BSc (Hons) Dietetics
- Physiology and immunology (DIET508), BSc (Hons) Dietetics
- Project studies (SOHP503), BSc (Hons) Dietetics
- Research project (SOHP605), BSc (Hons) Dietetics
- Nutritional science 2 (BHCS2025), BSc (Hons) Nutrition, Exercise and Health
- Applying evidence to practice (ADV702), MSc in Human Nutrition
- Project design for research (ADV715), MSc in Human Nutrition
- Research dissertation (ADV716), MSc in Human Nutrition
I supervise final undergraduate (SOHP601) and postgraduate (ADV716) research projects
Research
Research
Research interests
My current research areas are:
The link between the oral microbiome and systemic health
- Exploring the oral microbiome in different pathophysiological conditions (hypertension, pre-eclampsia, brain abscesses)
- Studying nitrate/nitrite metabolism in different healthy and pathophysiological conditions
- Investigating the role of diet and physical exercise on the composition and activity of oral bacteria and cardiovascular health
- Designing new oral care products to promote a healthy oral microbiome that can also help to protect cardiovascular health
I also collaborate in other physiology research projects:
- Investigating the physiological response to different types of exercise
- Studying the interaction between exercise and nutrition
Member of the Dietetics, Human Nutrition and Health Research Group, and the Oral Microbiome Research Group
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
PhD students supervised:
- Lisa DuToit - The relationship between the oral microbiome and cardiovascular health. Start Oct 2021
- Craig Cutler - The effect of diet and physical activity on the oral nitrate/nitrite pathway and its impact on vascular control. Start Oct 2017
- Ann Ashworth - Effects of dietary nitrate from vegetables on blood pressure in healthy humans: Awarded 2019
- Scott Betteridge - The role of nitrates in skeletal muscle metabolism during exercise. Awarded 2016
MSc students
- Mark Rollason. Quantifying the amount of inorganic nitrate and nitrite in commercial and self-made beetroot juice and the effect of storage temperature. Completed 2021
- Katharine Cotton. Endogenous nitric oxide availability in populations of varying health and training status: A systematic review. Completed 2020
- Khine Thaw. The effect of acute exercise on the oral nitrate-reducing capacity of oral bacteria in healthy individuals. Completed 2019
- Stephen Smallwood. The effect of acute exercise on the nitrate-reducing capacity of oral bacteria and its role in blood pressure and vascular control. Completed 2018
- Bernie Thomas. Salivary nitrite levels as a potential marker of endurance exercise capacity in healthy subjects. Completed 2017
- Craig Cutler. The effect of acute exercise on the nitrate-reducing capacity of oral bacteria and its role in vascular control. Completed 2017
Visiting postgraduate students
- Lorenzo Archetti, University of Pavia (Italy), 2021
- Dr Patricia Casas-Agustench. University of Barcelona (Spain), 2019
- Dr Laura Gallardo. University of Balearic Islands (Spain), 2018
- Dr Luke Liddle. University of West Scotland (UK), 2017
- Dr Carla Silliti. University of Foggia (Italy), 2016 and 2017
Grants & contracts
- Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (Pump research grant 2021)
- Northcott Medical Foundation (Research grant 2016 and 2020)
- University Hospitals Plymouth Charitable Research Fund (Research grant 2020)
- Institute of Health & Community (Research grant 2017, 2018 and 2019)
- Oral and Health Research Trust – GSK (UK) (Research grant 2018)
- Seale-Hayne Educational Trust (Research grant 2017)
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
JournalsPersonal
Personal
Reports & invited lectures
- The oral microbiome and cardiovascular health. Webinar of Oral Health and Systemic Disease. Royal Society of Medicine. London, 2021.
- The oral microbiome in health and exercise: An overview of the oral nitrate/nitrite pathway. FC Barcelona Innovation Hub. Barcelona (Spain), 2020.
- Relationship between exercise, the oral microbiome and cardiovascular health. Seminary of the Institute of Sanitary Research of Asturias Principate. Oviedo, 2019.
- Nitrate and nitrite metabolism and their role on cardiovascular health. Research Seminars Biomedical School. University of Newcastle, 2018.
- Understanding the role of nitrate and nitrite in vascular control: where are we going? NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (Seminar Series), 2018.