Dr Raul Bescos Garcia
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

Shannon OM, Allen JD, Bescos R, Burke L, Clifford T, Easton C, Gonzalez JT, Jones AM, Jonvik KL & Larsen FJ (2022) 'Dietary Inorganic Nitrate as an Ergogenic Aid: An Expert Consensus Derived via the Modified Delphi Technique' Sports Medicine , DOI Open access
Bescos R, Ashworth A, Cutler C, Brookes ZL, Belfield L, Rodiles A, Casas-Agustench P, Farnham G, Liddle L & Burleigh M (2020) 'Effects of Chlorhexidine mouthwash on the oral microbiome' Scientific Reports 10, (1) 0-0 , DOI Open access
Cutler C, Kiernan M, Willis JR, Gallardo-Alfaro L, Casas-Agustench P, White D, Hickson M, Gabaldon T & Bescos R (2019) 'Post-exercise hypotension and skeletal muscle oxygenation is regulated by nitrate-reducing activity of oral bacteria' Free Radical Biology and Medicine 143, 252-259 , DOI Open access
Ashworth A, Cutler C, Farnham G, Liddle L, Burleigh M, Rodiles A, Sillitti C, Kiernan M, Moore M & Hickson M (2019) 'Dietary intake of inorganic nitrate in vegetarians and omnivores and its impact on blood pressure, resting metabolic rate and the oral microbiome' Free Radical Biology and Medicine , DOI Open access
Bescos R & Ashworth A (2017) 'Dietary nitrate and blood pressure: evolution of a new nutrient?' Nutrition Research Reviews , DOI Open access
Bescós R, Sureda A, Tur JA & Pons A (2012) 'The Effect of Nitric-Oxide-Related Supplements on Human Performance' Sports Medicine 42, (2) 99-117 , DOI
View all 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

Shannon OM, Allen JD, Bescos R, Burke L, Clifford T, Easton C, Gonzalez JT, Jones AM, Jonvik KL & Larsen FJ (2022) 'Dietary Inorganic Nitrate as an Ergogenic Aid: An Expert Consensus Derived via the Modified Delphi Technique' Sports Medicine , DOI Open access
Bescos R, Ashworth A, Cutler C, Brookes ZL, Belfield L, Rodiles A, Casas-Agustench P, Farnham G, Liddle L & Burleigh M (2020) 'Effects of Chlorhexidine mouthwash on the oral microbiome' Scientific Reports 10, (1) 0-0 , DOI Open access
Cutler C, Kiernan M, Willis JR, Gallardo-Alfaro L, Casas-Agustench P, White D, Hickson M, Gabaldon T & Bescos R (2019) 'Post-exercise hypotension and skeletal muscle oxygenation is regulated by nitrate-reducing activity of oral bacteria' Free Radical Biology and Medicine 143, 252-259 , DOI Open access
Ashworth A, Cutler C, Farnham G, Liddle L, Burleigh M, Rodiles A, Sillitti C, Kiernan M, Moore M & Hickson M (2019) 'Dietary intake of inorganic nitrate in vegetarians and omnivores and its impact on blood pressure, resting metabolic rate and the oral microbiome' Free Radical Biology and Medicine , DOI Open access
Bescos R & Ashworth A (2017) 'Dietary nitrate and blood pressure: evolution of a new nutrient?' Nutrition Research Reviews , DOI Open access
Bescós R, Sureda A, Tur JA & Pons A (2012) 'The Effect of Nitric-Oxide-Related Supplements on Human Performance' Sports Medicine 42, (2) 99-117 , DOI

Key publications are highlighted

Journals
Articles
Bescos Garcia R, Rollason ML, Davies TS & Casas-Agustench P (2023) 'Content of nitrate and nitrite in commercial and self-made beetroot juices and the effect of storage temperature' Food Science and Nutrition , DOI Open access
Doble A, Bescos R, Witton R, Shivji S, Ayres R & Brookes Z (2023) 'A Case-Finding Protocol for High Cardiovascular Risk in a Primary Care Dental School—Model with Integrated Care' International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, (6) 4959-4959 , DOI Open access
Roy H, Bescos R, McColl E, Rehman U, Cray E, Belfield LA, Nweze K-D, Tsang K, Singleton W & Whitfield P (2022) 'Oral microbes and the formation of cerebral abscesses: a single-centre retrospective study' Journal of Dentistry , DOI Open access
Shannon OM, Allen JD, Bescos R, Burke L, Clifford T, Easton C, Gonzalez JT, Jones AM, Jonvik KL & Larsen FJ (2022) 'Dietary Inorganic Nitrate as an Ergogenic Aid: An Expert Consensus Derived via the Modified Delphi Technique' Sports Medicine , DOI Open access
Brookes ZLS, Belfield LA, Ashworth A, Casas-Agustench P, Raja M, Pollard AJ & Bescos R (2021) 'Effects of chlorhexidine mouthwash on the oral microbiome' Journal of Dentistry 113, Publisher Site , DOI Open access
Marina M, Torrado P & Bescós R (2021) 'Recovery and Fatigue Behavior of Forearm Muscles during a Repetitive Power Grip Gesture in Racing Motorcycle Riders' International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, (15) 7926-7926 , DOI Open access
Brookes ZLS, Bescos R, Belfield LA, Ali K & Roberts A (2020) 'Current uses of chlorhexidine for management of oral disease: a narrative review' Journal of Dentistry 103, 103497-103497 Publisher Site , DOI Open access
Bescos R, Brookes ZLS, Belfield LA, Fernandez-Sanjurjo M & Casas-Agustench P (2020) 'Modulation of oral microbiota: A new frontier in exercise supplementation' PharmaNutrition 14, 100230-100230 , DOI Open access
Bescos R, Casas-Agustench P, Belfield L, Brookes Z & Gabaldón T (2020) 'Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Emerging and Future Challenges for Dental and Oral Medicine' Journal of Dental Research 99, (9) 1113-1113 , DOI Open access
Bescos R, Ashworth A, Cutler C, Brookes ZL, Belfield L, Rodiles A, Casas-Agustench P, Farnham G, Liddle L & Burleigh M (2020) 'Effects of Chlorhexidine mouthwash on the oral microbiome' Scientific Reports 10, (1) 0-0 , DOI Open access
Cutler C, Kiernan M, Willis JR, Gallardo-Alfaro L, Casas-Agustench P, White D, Hickson M, Gabaldon T & Bescos R (2019) 'Post-exercise hypotension and skeletal muscle oxygenation is regulated by nitrate-reducing activity of oral bacteria' Free Radical Biology and Medicine 143, 252-259 , DOI Open access
Ashworth A, Cutler C, Farnham G, Liddle L, Burleigh M, Rodiles A, Sillitti C, Kiernan M, Moore M & Hickson M (2019) 'Dietary intake of inorganic nitrate in vegetarians and omnivores and its impact on blood pressure, resting metabolic rate and the oral microbiome' Free Radical Biology and Medicine , DOI Open access
Thomas B, Smallwood S, Cutler C & Bescos R (2019) 'The oral nitrate-reducing capacity correlates with peak power output and peak oxygen uptake in healthy humans' Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry 87, 43-51 Author Site , DOI Open access
Bescos R, Boden MJ, Jackson ML, Trewin AJ, Marin EC, Levinger I, Garnham A, Hiam DS, Falcao-Tebas F & Conte F (2018) 'Four days of simulated shift work reduces insulin sensitivity in humans' Acta Physiologica 0-0 , DOI Open access
Bescos R & Ashworth A (2017) 'Dietary nitrate and blood pressure: evolution of a new nutrient?' Nutrition Research Reviews , DOI Open access
Betteridge S, Bescós R, Martorell M, Pons A, Garnham AP, Stathis CC & McConell GK (2016) 'No effect of acute beetroot juice ingestion on oxygen consumption, glucose kinetics, or skeletal muscle metabolism during submaximal exercise in males' Journal of Applied Physiology 120, (4) 391-398 , DOI Open access
Bescos R (2015) 'CAN ELITE ATHLETES BENEFIT FROM DIETARY NITRATE SUPPLEMENTATION?' JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY 119, (6) 767-767 Author Site
(2015) 'Commentaries on Viewpoint: Can elite athletes benefit from dietary nitrate supplementation?' Journal of Applied Physiology 119, (6) 762-769 , DOI
Barrero A, Erola P & Bescós R (2014) 'Energy Balance of Triathletes during an Ultra-Endurance Event' Nutrients 7, (1) 209-222 , DOI Open access
Ferrer-Roca V, Bescós R, Roig A, Galilea P, Valero O & García-López J (2014) 'Acute Effects of Small Changes in Bicycle Saddle Height on Gross Efficiency and Lower Limb Kinematics' Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 28, (3) 784-791 , DOI
Knechtle B, Rüst CA, Rosemann T, Knechtle P & Bescos R (2012) 'Estimation Bias: Body Mass and Body Height in Endurance Athletes' Perceptual and Motor Skills 115, (3) 833-844 , DOI
BESCÓS R, FERRER-ROCA V, GALILEA PA, ROIG A, DROBNIC F, SUREDA A, MARTORELL M, CORDOVA A, TUR JA & PONS A (2012) 'Sodium Nitrate Supplementation Does Not Enhance Performance of Endurance Athletes' Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 44, (12) 2400-2409 , DOI
Bescós R, Rodríguez FA, Iglesias X, Benítez A, Marina M, Padullés JM, Torrado P, Vázquez J & Knechtle B (2012) 'High Energy Deficit in an Ultraendurance Athlete in a 24-Hour Ultracycling Race' Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings 25, (2) 124-128 , DOI
Bescós R, Rodríguez FA, Iglesias X, Knechtle B, Benítez A, Marina M, Padullés JM, Torrado P, Vazquez J & Rosemann T (2012) 'Nutritional behavior of cyclists during a 24-hour team relay race: a field study report' Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 9, (1) , DOI Open access
Bescós R, Sureda A, Tur JA & Pons A (2012) 'The Effect of Nitric-Oxide-Related Supplements on Human Performance' Sports Medicine 42, (2) 99-117 , DOI
(2012) 'Physiological Demands of Cyclists during an Ultra-Endurance Relay Race: A Field Study Report' The Chinese Journal of Physiology , DOI
BESCÓS R, RODRÍGUEZ FA, IGLESIAS X, FERRER MD, IBORRA E & PONS A (2011) 'Acute Administration of Inorganic Nitrate Reduces V˙O2peak in Endurance Athletes' Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 43, (10) 1979-1986 , DOI
García-González MA, Fernández-Chimeno M, Ferrer J, Escorihuela RM, Parrado E, Capdevila L, Benítez A, Angulo R, Rodríguez FA & Iglesias X (2011) 'New indices for quantification of the power spectrum of heart rate variability time series without the need of any frequency band definition' Physiological Measurement 32, (8) 995-1009 , DOI
Knechtle B, Wirth A, Knechtle P, Rosemann T, Ruest CA & Bescos R (2011) 'A comparison of fat mass and skeletal muscle mass estimation in male ultra-endurance athletes using bioelectrical impedance analysis and different anthropometric methods' NUTRICION HOSPITALARIA 26, (6) 1420-1427 Author Site , DOI
Bescos Garcia R & Rodriguez Guisado FA (2011) 'Low levels of vitamin D in professional basketball players after wintertime: relationship with dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium' NUTRICION HOSPITALARIA 26, (5) 945-951 Author Site , DOI
Bescós R, Gonzalez-Haro C, Pujol P, Drobnic F, Alonso E, Santolaria ML, Ruiz O, Esteve M & Galilea P (2009) 'Effects of Dietary L-Arginine Intake on Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Adaptation in Athletes' International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 19, (4) 355-365 , DOI
Bescos R, Galilea P, Jessica B & Porta J (2009) 'Dietary Intake And Energy Expenditure In Spanish Road Cyclist During Competition And Training' Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 41, (5) 335-336 , DOI
Bescós R, Esteve M, Porta J, Mateu M, Irurtia A & Voracek M (2009) 'Prenatal programming of sporting success: Associations of digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative marker for prenatal androgen action, with world rankings in female fencers' Journal of Sports Sciences 27, (6) 625-632 , DOI
Portao J, Bescos R, Irurtia A, Cacciatori E & Vallejo L (2009) 'ASSESSMENT OF BODY FAT IN PHYSICALLY ACTIVE YOUNG PEOPLE: ANTHROPOMETRY VS BIOIMPEDANCE' NUTRICION HOSPITALARIA 24, (5) 529-534 Author Site , DOI
Chapters
Bescos Garcia R, Pons A, Sureda A & Tur JA (2016) 'Metabolic Precursors of l-Arginine Supplementation in Sports: A Focus on l-Citrulline and l-Ornithine' in Patel VB; Preedy VR; Rajkurmar R L-Arginine in Clinical Nutrition London Springer International Publishing 311-318 , DOI
Conference Papers
Carmona G, Guerrero M, Moras G, Lloret M, Bescos R, Bedini JL, Rodas G, Cusso R & Cadefau JA (2012) 'Analysis of muscle damage induced by a concentric exercise until volitional failure' 303-303
Bescós R, Rodríguez FA, Iglesias X, Ferrer MD & Pons A (2010) 'Acute Administration of Inorganic Nitrates Reduces VO2 peak in Endurance Athletes' Elsevier BV S109-S109 , DOI
Benitez A, Garcia-Gonzalez MA, Angulo R, Rodriguez F, Iglesias X, Bescos R, Marina M & Padulles JM (2010) 'Ventilatory Threshold Prediction by Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in Incremental Maximal Tests' 939-942
Bescós R, González-Haro C, Pujol P, Drobnic F, Galilea PA, Alonso E, Santolaria ML & Ruiz O (2008) 'Effect of L-Arginine Enriched Diet on Running Economy of Elite Tennis Players' Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) S401-S401 , DOI
Presentations and posters
Ashworth A, Easton C, Liddle L, Hickson M, Moore M & Bescos R Ashworth A, Easton C, Liddle L, Hickson M, Moore M & Bescos R 'The effects of antibacterial mouthwash on the oral microbiome: potential consequences for intensive care patients' , DOI
Personal

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.


Related articles on the University website