NutriEpi

The NutriEpi research group is a multidisciplinary hub at the forefront of nutritional epidemiology, integrating molecular epidemiology, omics technologies, exposome science, and population-based research.

Our work focuses on uncovering the biological mechanisms linking diet, circadian behaviours, and health, moving beyond traditional observational approaches by combining complex biomarker data (DNA methylation, microbiome), and causal inference methods.

Current flagship projects include the CUPID study on chrononutrition, epigenetics and cardiovascular health, and the SHE-WORK project on circadian disruption, women’s health, and the gut microbiome in night shift workers.

As a team, NutriEpi has produced landmark contributions on diet quality and depression risk, epigenetic signatures of dietary patterns, ultra-processed food consumption in childhood, and chrononutritional behaviours in Mediterranean adult populations.

We address questions from early life to adulthood using data from well characterized cohorts (HELIX, BiSC, GCAT, EPHOR, etc.). We combine cutting-edge science with real-world impact, contributing to national and European research networks and informing public policy, including initiatives to improve nutritional education and mental health.

Related Content

• NEWS | Dinner Timing During Pregnancy Linked to Epigenetic Changes in the Placenta
• NEWS | Longer Overnight Fasting and Earlier Breakfast May Be Associated with a Lower Body Mass Index
• NEWS | ISGlobal Will Lead a Chrono-Nutrition Project Funded by La Marató de 3Cat
• BLOG | Ultra-processed foods in childhood: obesity in adulthood?
• BLOG | Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet on Mental Health and Depression
• BLOG | Artificial Sweeteners: Are They a Health Risk?

Selected Publications

• Llauradó-Pont J, Aguilar S, Cosin M, Julvez J, Contreras-Rodríguez O, Kogevinas M, Papantoniou K, Gallo E, Harding B, Vrijheid M, Dadvand P, Bustamante M, Lassale C. Maternal chrono-nutrition and placental DNA methylation: the BiSC study. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2026;70(9):e70465. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.70465
• Lugon G, Ashtree DN, Allès B, Hercberg S, Jacka FN, Lane MM, O’Neil A, Orr R, Péneau S, Srour B, Touvier M, Kesse-Guyot E, Lassale C. Associations between Global Burden of Disease dietary risk factors and elevated depressive symptoms: the NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort study. 2025, preprint. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7873685/v1
• Llauradó-Pont J, Stratakis N, Fiorito G, Handakas E, Neumann A, Barros H, Brantsæter AL, Chang K, Chatzi L, Felix JF, Grazuleviciene R, Jaddoe VWV, Karachaliou M, Lecorguillé M, Lopes C, Millett C, McEachan RRC, Papadopoulou E, Slama R, Vamos EP, Vineis P, Vrijheid M, Wright J, Voortman T, Bustamante M, Robinson O, Lassale C. A meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies of ultra-processed food consumption with DNA methylation in European children. Clinical Epigenetics. 2025;17(1). doi: 10.1186/s13148-024-01782-z
• Pons-Muzzo L, de Cid R, Obón-Santacana M, Straif K, Papantoniou K, Santonja I, Kogevinas M, Palomar-Cros A, Lassale C. Sex-specific chrono-nutritional patterns and association with body weight in a general population in Spain (GCAT study). International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2024;21:102. doi: 10.1186/s12966-024-01639-x
• Lugon G, Hernáez A, Jacka FN, Marrugat J, Ramos R, Garre-Olmo J, Elosua R, Lassale C. Association between different diet quality scores and depression risk: the REGICOR population-based cohort study. European Journal of Nutrition. 2024. doi: 10.1007/s00394-024-03466-z
• Gallo E, Ramírez-Contreras C, Llauradó-Pont J, Papantoniou K, Kogevinas M, Palomar-Cros A, Montanari A, de Cid R, Obón-Santacana C, Lassale C. Chrononutrition and risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study. 2026, preprint. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9107412/v1
• Palomar-Cros A, Straif K, Romaguera D, Aragonés N, Castaño-Vinyals G, Martin V, Moreno V, Gómez-Acebo I, Guevara M, Aizpurua A, Molina-Barceló A, Jiménez-Moleón JJ, Tardón A, Contreras-Llanes M, Marcos-Gragera R, Huerta JM, Pérez-Gómez B, Espinosa A, Hernández-Segura N, Obón-Santacana M, Alonso-Molero J, Burgui R, Amiano P, Pinto-Carbó M, Olmedo-Requena R, Fernández-Tardón G, Santos-Sánchez V, Fernández de Larrea-Baz N, Fernández-Villa T, Casabonne D, Dierssen-Sotos T, Ardanaz E, Dorronsoro A, Pollán M, Kogevinas M, Lassale C. Consumption of aspartame and other artificial sweeteners and risk of cancer in the Spanish multicase-control study (MCC-Spain). International Journal of Cancer. 2023. doi: 10.1002/ijc.34577