Estimation of dietary nitrate intake in a representative UK cohort_V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Estimation of dietary and urinary nitrate concentration in a representative UK population using data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (Years 1-6).
IRAS ID
238212
Contact name
Julie A Lovegrove
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of reading
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
07/H0604/113, NDNS NHS REC ID
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 21 days
Research summary
Dietary nitrate has been shown to have health benefits including lowering blood pressure and improving the health and elasticity of blood vessels. The main source of dietary nitrate in the human diet is vegetables. Drinking water is another important contributor to nitrate intake but the nitrate level of drinking water varies on a daily basis and between different water authorities in the UK. Furthermore, the data available on dietary analysis software on the levels of nitrate in vegetables and vegetable based foods is very limited. Therefore, there is an urgent need to more accurately estimate the levels of dietary nitrate intake in the UK population, and determine how the level of intake from all dietary sources (vegetables and drinking water) relate to risk factors for developing heart disease.\n\nThis project aims to analyse biobanked urine samples collected during Years 1 to 6 of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), which is conducted in a representative sample of the UK population. We will measure the levels of nitrate and its break down products (metabolites) in urine to estimate the levels of intake of dietary nitrate in the study participants. In addition, we will determine the level of intake from the diet diaries of the study participants using our database of nitrate levels in vegetables and drinking water to estimate the dietary intake, and compare this data with the urine analysis as a potential biomarker of dietary intake.\n\nThe NDNS study participants have previously consented for their urine samples to be used for future tests relating to nutrition and health as long as these tests have been approved by a NHS ethics committee. We have been granted permission to analyse the urine samples by the NDNS Bioresource Panel but must first gain ethical approval before the samples can be released to us for analysis.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
18/NS/0085
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion