Post-graduate Researcher

Department: Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Rachel is a PhD candidate at Northumbria University. Rachel obtained her BSc in Sports Biomedicine and Nutrition from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2014 before travelling to Australia. She then returned to the UK to undertake her MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition at Leeds Beckett University. Her research interests include the application of functional foods, such as Manuka honey and beetroot juice, to human health and performance. Rachel joined Northumbria in September 2017 to expand her research to include Montmorency tart cherries.

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Qualifications

MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition
BSc (Hons) Sports Biomedicine and Nutrition

Overview of Doctoral Research

Montmorency Tart Cherries as a Natural Ergogenic and Therapeutic Aid

Montmorency tart cherries have repeatedly been shown to be a rich source of various phytochemicals. These phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, are currently being investigated for their cardio- and neuro-protective properties. Therefore, there is a putative role for phytochemical-rich foods, such as tart cherries, to reduce risk factors associated with chronic diseases and preserve overall health. Using a multidisciplinary approach, Rachel’s PhD project will investigate to potential health benefits associated with longitudinal Montmorency tart cherry supplementation. The primary outcome of this research will be the effects of Montmorency tart cherries on vascular function. However, Rachel will also investigate other indices of human health to determine the applicability of this functional food to healthy aging.