Recent work

Selected publications

Articles, preprints, reports and a book chapter on protein quality, plant-based diets, muscle health and biological ageing. Search by title or author, and combine a theme with a year.

37 publications

Brief summaries accompany selected publications that have been editorially reviewed.

2026

Developing a comprehensive database of nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors: the NiCE factors database.

Journal article
Authors: Pferdmenges LE et al. Show author list

Pferdmenges LE, Schweiggert F, Colombani PC, Poulsen A, Dias MG, Lisciani S, Zhang L, Grootswagers P, Wüst M, Storcksdieck Genannt Bonsmann S, Schweiggert-Weisz U

Food Chemistry

DOI
2026

Long-Term Vegetarian and Vegan Diets in Older Adults Are Associated With Inadequate Intakes of Protein and Micronutrients.

Journal article

Wildemast S, Verlaan S, Grootswagers P

The Journal of Nutrition

DOI Read blog:ENNL
2026

A self-selected vegan diet reduces skeletal muscle mass in healthy older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Journal article

Domić J, Grootswagers P, Pinckaers PJ, Melchers M, van Loon LJ, de Groot LC

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

DOI Read blog:ENNL
2026

Eliminating Animal Products from the Diet Puts Dutch Older Adults at Risk of Micronutrient Deficiencies: A Simulation Study.

Journal article

Borkent J, Grootswagers P, Mendoza Valbuena LG, de van der Schueren M

Current Developments in Nutrition

DOI Read blog:ENNL
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 Read blog:ENNL
2026

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

Journal article

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

GeroScience

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

Journal article
Authors: Monsegue AP et al. Show author list

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

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

DOI
2026

Protein Adequacy across Meals in Dutch Elite and Sub-Elite Athletes

Preprint

Ricco A, Grootswagers P, Mensink M, Wardenaar F

Assesses how well Dutch elite and sub-elite athletes meet protein needs across individual meals.

View preprint
2025

The association between the MIND-NL diet, Dutch dietary guidelines, and global cognitive function in an older population at risk for cognitive decline

Journal article

Beers S, de van der Schueren MAE, Grootswagers P, van de Rest O, Waterink L, Sikkes SAM, Deckers K, Soons LM, Claassen JAHR, Smidt N, et al.

The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging

Examines how a MIND-style diet relates to cognitive function in older adults at risk of decline.

DOI
2025

The amino acid composition of commercially available vegan meat and dairy analogues

Journal article

Domic J, van Loon LJC, Siebelink E, Borgonjen-Van den Berg KJ, de Groot LCPGM, Grootswagers P

British Journal of Nutrition

Maps the amino acid profiles of supermarket vegan meat and dairy analogues.

DOI Read blog:ENNL
2025

Phase angle is related to physical function in high-risk Dutch older adults: implications for sarcopenia screening

Journal article

Grootswagers P, Ricco A, Hulshof P, de Groot L

The Journal of Frailty & Aging

Links bioimpedance phase angle to physical function, with implications for sarcopenia screening.

DOI
2025

Artificial intelligence in nutrition and ageing research: a primer on the benefits

Journal article

Grootswagers P, Grootswagers T

Maturitas

A primer on how artificial intelligence can accelerate nutrition and ageing research.

DOI
2025

A Well-Balanced Vegan Diet Does not Compromise Daily Mixed Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates when Compared with an Omnivorous Diet in Active Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Cross-Over Trial

Journal article

Domic J, Pinckaers PJM, Grootswagers P, Siebelink E, Gerdessen JC, van Loon LJC, de Groot LCPGM

The Journal of Nutrition

A well-balanced vegan diet can maintain daily muscle protein synthesis in active older adults.

DOI Read blog:ENNL
2025

Perspective: Biomarkers of Aging in Human Nutrition Research, a focus on applications, challenges and opportunities

Journal article

Loughlin KNM, Grootswagers P, Camps G, de Groot LCPGM

Advances in Nutrition

How biomarkers of ageing can be used in human nutrition research, with opportunities and methodological challenges.

DOI Read blog:ENNL
2025

The effect of a vegan diet with or without resistance exercise on thigh muscle volume in older adults: research protocol of the Vold-study, a 12-week randomized controlled trial

Journal article

Domic J, Grootswagers P, Pinckaers PJM, Groenendijk I, Rubert J, van Loon LJC, de Groot LCPGM

BMC Geriatrics

Study protocol for a trial on vegan diet and resistance exercise for thigh muscle volume.

DOI
2025

Web-based exercise and nutrition intervention to improve leg muscle strength and physical functioning in older adults: pre-post pilot study

Journal article

Dorhout BG, Wezenbeek N, de Groot LCPGM, Grootswagers P

JMIR Formative Research

Pilots a web-based exercise and nutrition programme for leg strength and physical functioning.

DOI
2025

Diet, lifestyle and telomere length: using Copula Graphical Models on NHANES data

Journal article

Tedaldi AM, Behrouzi P, Grootswagers P

Aging (Albany NY)

Applies copula graphical models to relate diet and lifestyle to telomere length.

DOI
2024

Developing a Digital Tool to Calculate Protein Quality in Plant-Based Meals of Older Adults: User Engagement Design Approach With End Users

Journal article

van Dam L, Hojlund Christensen S, Tetens I, Riley III W, Timmer M, Suciu Jr G, Marin I, de Groot L, Grootswagers P

Journal of Participatory Medicine

A user-centred design study behind a digital tool for meal protein quality (the Alpha-Tool).

DOI
2024

Design of the VOILA-intervention study: a 12-week nutrition and resistance exercise intervention in metabolically or mobility compromised Dutch older adults

Journal article

Kramer CS, Monsegue A, Morwani-Mangnani J, Grootswagers P, Beekman M, Slagboom PE, Verdijk LB, de Groot LCPGM

Mechanisms of Ageing and Development

Design of a nutrition and resistance-exercise trial measuring immune-metabolic, gut and muscle outcomes.

DOI
2024

A vegan dietary pattern is associated with high prevalence of inadequate protein intake in older adults: a simulation study

Journal article

Borkent JW, Grootswagers P, Linschooten J, Roodenburg AJC, Ocke M, de van der Schueren MAE

The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging

Simulation showing many older adults on a vegan pattern fall short of protein needs.

DOI
2024

Meal Protein Quality Score: A Novel Tool to Evaluate Protein Quantity and Quality of Meals

Journal article

Grootswagers P, Hojlund Christensen S, Timmer M, Riley W, de Groot L, Tetens I

Current Developments in Nutrition

Introduces the Meal Protein Quality Score (MPQS) to evaluate protein quantity and quality at meal level.

DOI Read blog:ENNL
2024

Discovering the direct relations between nutrients and epigenetic ageing

Journal article

Grootswagers P, Bach D, Biemans Y, Behrouzi P, Horvath S, Kramer CS, Liu S, Manson JE, Shadyab AH, Stewart JD, et al.

The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging

Data-driven methods to explore direct relations between nutrients and epigenetic ageing.

DOI Read blog:ENNL
2024

Identifying the relation between food groups and biological ageing: a data-driven approach

Journal article

Biemans Y, Bach D, Behrouzi P, Horvath S, Kramer CS, Liu S, Manson JE, Shadyab AH, Stewart J, Whitsel EA, et al.

Age and Ageing

Uses a data-driven approach to link food groups to biological ageing.

DOI Read blog:ENNL
2024

Discussion on protein recommendations for supporting muscle and bone health in older adults: a mini review

Journal article

Groenendijk I, de Groot LCPGM, Tetens I, Grootswagers P

Frontiers in Nutrition

Reviews protein recommendations for muscle and bone health in older adults.

DOI Read blog:ENNL
2024

Diets in Dutch hospitals: setting the scene for healthy, protein adequate, and sustainable menus

Report

Bannenberg C, Geleijnse JM, Grootswagers P, Lensink M, van der Schouw YT, Kok A, Dermody BJ, Bolat E, Pot GK, de Koning I, et al.

Wageningen University & Research

Assesses Dutch hospital menus against healthy, protein-adequate and sustainable criteria.

DOI
2023

The associations of habitual intake of sulfur amino acids, proteins and diet quality with plasma sulfur amino acid concentrations: The Maastricht Study

Journal article

Tore EC, Eussen SJPM, Bastani NE, Dagnelie PC, Elshorbagy AK, Grootswagers P, Kozich V, Olsen T, Refsum H, Retterstol K, et al.

The Journal of Nutrition

Relates dietary sulfur amino acids and diet quality to plasma concentrations.

DOI
2023

Protein intake and bone mineral density: cross-sectional relationship and longitudinal effects in older adults

Journal article

Groenendijk I, Grootswagers P, Santoro A, Franceschi C, Bazzocchi A, Meunier N, Caille A, Malpuech-Brugere C, Bialecka-Debek A, Pietruszka B, et al.

Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle

Examines how protein intake relates to bone mineral density in older adults.

DOI Read blog:ENNL
2022

[Dairy products help aged care residents to maintain strong bones].

Journal article

Groenendijk I, De Groot L, Grootswagers P

Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde

View publication
2022

Perspective: vegan diets for older adults? A perspective on the potential impact on muscle mass and strength

Journal article

Domic J, Grootswagers P, van Loon LJC, de Groot LCPGM

Advances in Nutrition

A perspective on how vegan diets may affect muscle mass and strength in older adults.

DOI
2022

Relative validity and reliability of isometric lower extremity strength assessment in older adults using a handheld dynamometer

Journal article

Grootswagers P, Vaes AMM, Hangelbroek R, Tieland M, van Loon LJC, de Groot LCPGM

Sports Health

Validates handheld dynamometry for measuring lower-limb strength in older adults.

DOI
2021

Vitamin B-6 intake is related to physical performance in European older adults: results of the NU-AGE study

Journal article

Grootswagers P, Mensink M, Berendsen AAM, Deen CPJ, Kema IP, Bakker SJL, Santoro A, Franceschi C, Meunier N, Malpuech-Brugere C, et al.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Links vitamin B-6 intake to physical performance in European older adults.

DOI
2021

A novel oral nutritional supplement improves gait speed and mitochondrial functioning compared to standard care in older adults with (or at risk of) undernutrition: a randomized controlled trial

Journal article

Grootswagers P, Smeets E, Oteng AB, de Groot L

Aging (Albany NY)

A trial showing an oral nutritional supplement improved gait speed and mitochondrial function.

DOI
2021

Nutritional concerns later in life

Journal article

Grootswagers P, de Groot LCPGM

Proceedings of the Nutrition Society

Reviews the key nutritional concerns that emerge in later life.

DOI
2021

Nutrition and exercise to maintain physical functioning during ageing

Book chapter

Grootswagers P, Mensink M, de Groot L

Nutrition, Food and Diet in Ageing and Longevity (Springer)

A book chapter on combining nutrition and exercise to preserve physical function with age.

DOI
2020

Dietary intakes of vegetable protein, folate, and vitamins B-6 and B-12 are partially correlated with physical functioning of Dutch older adults using copula graphical models

Journal article

Behrouzi P, Grootswagers P, Keizer PLC, Smeets ETHC, Feskens EJM, de Groot LCPGM, van Eeuwijk FA

The Journal of Nutrition

Uses copula graphical models to link plant protein and B-vitamins to physical functioning.

DOI
2020

A 4-week exercise and protein program improves muscle mass and physical functioning in older adults: a pilot study

Journal article

Grootswagers P, de Regt M, Domic J, Dronkers J, Visser M, Witteman B, Hopman M, Mensink M

Experimental Gerontology

A pilot showing a short exercise and protein programme improved muscle mass and function.

DOI
2019

View all on Google Scholar ORCID