Assistant Professor · Nutrition & Ageing · Wageningen University & Research

Nutrition science for healthier ageing

I study how nutrition, protein quality and plant-based diets influence biological ageing, muscle health and physical function, combining human studies, biomarkers, epidemiology and digital tools.

Explore my research View publications

Pol Grootswagers speaking at a conference

Portrait: Tim Mengerink

Research focus

Four interconnected pillars

My work connects nutrition science, ageing biology and practical implementation, translating nutritional insights into strategies that support healthy ageing.

Biological ageing

Using biomarkers and biological-age models to understand how nutrition and lifestyle relate to ageing trajectories.

Muscle & physical resilience

How nutrition supports muscle mass, physical function and resilience in older adults.

Protein quality & sustainable diets

Methods to assess the protein quality of meals and diets, especially in plant-forward, sustainable patterns.

Human studies & translation

Human trials, biomarkers and digital tools that turn nutrition science into practical decisions.

Selected research projects

Current projects

Clustered around two connected themes: plant-based nutrition and biological ageing.

All projects

Plant-based nutrition

RECIPE

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An AI-supported recommender engine for complete, individualised, plant-rich eating in healthcare settings.

Project Alpha

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Measure and improve the protein quality of meals with the Alpha-Tool.

Microsunset

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A doctoral network training young scientists so future sustainable diets still deliver the vitamins and minerals people need.

Biological ageing

Bio-Compass

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Growing older vitally and healthily with personally tailored nutrition, exercise and lifestyle.

Sensing Age

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How diet, lifestyle and biological markers relate to biological ageing, through data-driven network analysis.

Towards healthier ageing through nutrition, biomarkers and personalised strategies.

My research programme connects mechanistic insight, human data and practical tools to better understand, and ultimately influence, trajectories of ageing.

Recent work

Selected publications

2026

Large language models miss protein quality in vegan meals

Preprint

Grootswagers P, Camps G

Finds that large language models systematically misjudge the protein quality of vegan meals.

View preprint

2026

Higher plasma serine levels are associated with favorable values of metabolic health markers among middle-aged and older adults in The Maastricht Study

Olsen T, Elshorbagy A, Tore EC, Bastani NE, Stolt E, Blokland GAM, Stehouwer CDA, Kooi ME, Jansen JFA, Eussen SJPM, et al.

GeroScience, 2026

Higher plasma serine is linked to more favourable metabolic health markers in middle-aged and older adults.

DOI

2026

High-Intensity Resistance Training Enhances Strength, But Not Muscle Mass and Physical Functioning Gains During Total Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation

Monsegue AP, Wilms EJC, Kramer CS, Morwani-Magnani J, van der Haijden M, Singh-Povel CM, Grootswagers P, de Groot L, Slagboom PE, van Loon LJC, Verdijk LB

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2026

High-intensity resistance training during knee-replacement rehabilitation improved strength, but not muscle mass or physical functioning.

DOI

All publications

Speaking & media

Looking for a speaker, moderator or expert voice?

Keynotes, chairing, media and podcasts, in Dutch and English.

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