Dr Grace Farhat
Senior Lecturer
My profile
Biography
I am a UK registered nutritionist (Rnutr) and registered dietitian (RD) and have completed a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics, a MSc in Human Nutrition and a PhD degree in 2014. My PhD looked at the effects of antioxidants on anthropometric, biochemical, physiological and dietary markers in normal weight and overweight adults. I have taken various academic roles over the last decade before joining MMU in 2021.
My role involves both teaching and research. At present, I lead and deliver courses for the MSc Human Nutrition, MSc Sport Nutrition, and MSc Dietetics Programmes. In addition to this, I serve as the Admissions lead and placement co-lead for the MSc Dietetics programme.
My research interests revolve around obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Specifically, I am interested in investigating the efficacy of dietary interventions in achieving Type 2 diabetes remission within high-risk populations. Simultaneously, my research explores the impact of antioxidants, particularly those found in pomegranate extract, on inflammation and cardiometabolic factors in older adults. I endeavour to contribute to advancing the understanding of critical health challenges and pave the way for innovative solutions.
Interests and expertise
Academic and professional qualifications
BSc Nutrition & Dietetics
MSc Human Nutrition
PhD in Public Health Nutrition
Registered dietitian, HCPC (UK)
Senior fellow, UK Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
Registered Nutritionist,(Rnutr), The Association for Nutrition, UK
External examiner roles
University of Chester: External examiner (MSc Cardiovascular Disease, MSc Diabetes, MSc Gastroenterology & MSc Respiratory Medicine programmes).
Membership of professional associations
I am a member of:
The Society of Endocrinology
The Nutrition Society
Diabetes UK
Peer review role
Peer reviewer (Nutrients, Frontiers in Nutrition, Current development in Nutrition, Journal of Nutritional science, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Biology, Metabolites, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Molecules).
Member of the Reviewer board-Nutrients Journal
Guest editor - Healthcare Journal: special edition: Dietary and Nutritional Approaches in the Prevention and Management of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes).
Projects
Recently completed research projects:
October 2022- December 2023: Freezing out Hunger: how frozen foods can assist families in preventing hunger and improving the nutritional quality of diets and the weekly food budget (collaborators: Clarion Futures; Birds Eye UK; Iceland) (CoI).
March 2023- December 2023: Anti-microbial potential of pomegranate and lemon extract in the context of antibiotic resistance (co-PI)
Current research projects
April 2023- Present: Perceptions and knowledge of dietary interventions for weight loss and diabetes prevention and management in the Pakistani/Bangladeshi population living in the UK: a survey on low-carbohydrate diet and intermittent fasting dietary interventions (PI)
September 2022- present: Effects of pomegranate extract on inflammatory markers, physical and cognitive function and cardiometabolic risk factors in older adults: A randomised controlled trial (project duration: 18 months) (PI)
January 2022- present:Effects of pomegranate extract on inflammation and antioxidant activity in aged skeletal muscle cells (PI).
Current PhD supervision projects:
E-waste scavengers in Nigeria (Principal supervisor; expected completion: February 2024)
Health and safety accidents in the construction workplace (Principal supervisor; expected completion: June 2024).
Risk assessment of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Principal supervisor; expected completion: January 2025).
Climate change mitigation and workplace safety management of the Sri Lankan Apparel Industry (second supervisor; expected completion: September 2024)
Research outputs
Publications:
Farhat G, Mellor DD, Harvie M, Issa B, Rutter MK. 2024. Effectiveness of lifestyle interventions/culturally bespoke programmes in South Asian ethnic groups targeting weight loss for prevention and/or remission of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of intervention trials. J Hum Nutr Diet; https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.13279
Farhat, G. 2024. Polyphenols in obesity and weight management: are they worth further research? An umbrella review. Nutrition Bulletin (in press).
Farhat, G. 2023. Culturally Tailored Dietary Interventions for Improving Glycaemic Control and Preventing Complications in South Asians with Type 2 Diabetes: Success and Future Implications. Healthcare. 11(8), 1123, doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11081123
Farhat G, Majeed S, Rutter MK et al. Comparing the acceptability of total diet replacement and food-based low energy diets for type 2 diabetes remission amongst South Asians: a public and patient involvement activity. NIHR Open Res 2022, 1:24, doi.org/10.3310/nihropenres.13233.4
Farhat G, Dewison F, Stevenson L. Knowledge and Perceptions of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Within the UK Adult Population. Nutrients. 13(2):444, doi: 10.3390/nu13020444.
Farhat, Grace, Berset V, and Moore L, 2019. Effects of stevia extract on postprandial glucose response, satiety and energy intake: a three-arm crossover trial. Nutrients 11: doi: 10.3390/nu11123036 .
Tsang, C, Hodgson L, Bussu A, Farhat G, Al-Dujaili E., 2019. Effect of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate on salivary cortisol and mood in adults. Antioxidants 8: 149, doi.org/10.3390/antiox8060149
Symonds M.E, Farhat G., Aldiss P, Pope M., Budge H., 2018. Brown adipose tissue and glucose homeostasis – the link between climate change and the global rise in obesity and diabetes. Adipocytes 8: 46-50.
Farhat, G., Lees, E., Macdonald-Clarke c., Amirabdollahian, F., 2018. Inadequacies of micronutrient intake in a sample of normal weight and overweight young adults (18-25 years): a cross-sectional study. Public health 167: 70-77.
Stockton, A., Farhat, G., Mcdougall, G.J., Al-Dujaili, E.S., 2017. Effect of pomegranate extract on blood pressure and anthropometry in adults: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial. Journal of Nutritional science, 6: doi: 10.1017/jns.2017.36
Farhat, G., Drummond, S and Al‐Dujaili, E.A., 2017. Polyphenols and their role in obesity management: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Phytotherapy research, 31: 1005-1018.
Farhat, G., Drummond, S., Fyfe, L. Mcdougall, G., Al‐Dujaili, E.A.D (2015).
Comparison of the effects of high versus low-polyphenol dark chocolate on body weight and biochemical markers: a randomized trial. EC nutrition 2: 354-364.
Farhat, G., 2014. A need to reconsider the definition of ‘healthy participants’ in epidemiological studies and clinical trials. European journal of clinical nutrition, 68: 724-725.
Farhat, G., Drummond, S., Fyfe, L., Al‐Dujaili, E.A. (2013). Dark chocolate: an obesity paradox or a culprit for weight gain? Phytotherapy research. 28: 791-797.
Proceedings of conferences:
Farhat, G., Berset V., Moya I., Hall L. and Moore L., 2019. An investigation into the effects of stevia on food intake, satiety and blood glucose levels in adults. Oxford abstracts 422.
Wilson H, Amirabdollahian F, Farhat G, Macdonald-Clarke C., 2019. Association between mental health and nutritional status in university students aged 18-24 years. Oxford abstracts 123.
Farhat, G., Al‐Dujaili, E.A , Drummond, S., Fyfe, L. (2014). Dark chocolate low in polyphenols increases BMI in normal weight and overweight adults. The Faseb journal, 28: 33.
Farhat, G., Al‐dujaili, E.A (2014). Polyphenol-rich dark chocolate lowers LDL oxidation without affecting high-sensitivity crp levels in adults. Endocrine abstracts: 35.
Farhat, G. (2014). Dark chocolate rich in polyphenols improves insulin sensitivity in the adult non-diabetic population. Endocrine abstracts, 34: p206.
Farhat, G., Al‐Dujaili, E.A, Drummond, S., Fyfe, L. (2013). Dark chocolate rich in polyphenols and its influence on blood pressure and BMI in normotensive adults: a preliminary study. Ann nutr metab, 63: 12.
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Journal articles
Farhat, G., Mellor, D.D., Sattar, N., Harvie, M., Issa, B., Rutter, M.K. (2024) 'Effectiveness of lifestyle interventions/culturally bespoke programmes in South Asian ethnic groups targeting weight loss for prevention and/or remission of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention trials.' Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics,
Farhat, G. (2024) 'Polyphenols in obesity and weight management: are they worth further research? An umbrella review.' Nutrition Bulletin,
Farhat, G. (2023) 'Culturally tailored dietary interventions for improving glycaemic control and preventing complications in South Asians with type 2 diabetes: success and future implications.' Healthcare, 11(8) pp. 1123-1123.
Farhat, G., Majeed, S., Rutter, M.K., Issa, B., Harvie, M. (2022) 'Comparing the acceptability of total diet replacement and food-based low energy diets for type 2 diabetes remission amongst South Asians: a public and patient involvement activity.' NIHR Open Research, 1pp. 24-24.
Farhat, G., Majeed, S., Rutter, M.K., Issa, B., Harvie, M. (2022) 'Comparing the acceptability of total diet replacement and food-based low energy diets for type 2 diabetes remission amongst South Asians: a public and patient involvement activity.' NIHR Open Research, 1pp. 24-24.
Farhat, G., Majeed, S., Rutter, M.K., Issa, B., Harvie, M. (2021) 'Comparing the acceptability of total diet replacement and food-based low-calorie diets for type 2 diabetes remission amongst Southeast Asians: a public and patient involvement activity.' NIHR Open Research, 1pp. 24-24.
Farhat, G., Dewison, F., Stevenson, L. (2021) 'Knowledge and perceptions of non-nutritive sweeteners within the uk adult population.' Nutrients, 13(2) pp. 1-14.
Farhat, G., Majeed, S., Rutter, M.K., Issa, B., Harvie, M. (2021) 'Comparing the acceptability of total diet replacement and food-based low energy diets for type 2 diabetes remission amongst South Asians: a public and patient involvement activity..' NIHR open research, 1
Farhat, G., Berset, V., Moore, L. (2019) 'Effects of stevia extract on postprandial glucose response, satiety and energy intake: A three-arm crossover trial.' Nutrients, 11(12)
Tsang, C., Hodgson, L., Bussu, A., Farhat, G., Al-Dujaili, E. (2019) 'Effect of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate on salivary cortisol and mood in adults.' Antioxidants, 8(6)
Farhat, G., Lees, E., Macdonald-Clarke, C., Amirabdollahian, F. (2019) 'Inadequacies of micronutrient intake in normal weight and overweight young adults aged 18–25 years: a cross-sectional study.' Public Health, 167pp. 70-77.
Symonds, M.E., Farhat, G., Aldiss, P., Pope, M., Budge, H. (2019) 'Brown adipose tissue and glucose homeostasis–the link between climate change and the global rise in obesity and diabetes.' Adipocyte, 8(1) pp. 46-50.
Farhat, G., Drummond, S., Al-Dujaili, E.A.S. (2017) 'Polyphenols and Their Role in Obesity Management: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.' Phytotherapy Research, 31(7) pp. 1005-1018.
Stockton, A., Farhat, G., McDougall, G.J., Al-Dujaili, E.A.S. (2017) 'Effect of pomegranate extract on blood pressure and anthropometry in adults: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial.' Journal of Nutritional Science, 6
Farhat, G., Al-Dujaili, E. (2014) 'Polyphenol-rich dark chocolate lowers LDL oxidation without affecting high-sensitivity CRP levels in adults.' Endocrine Abstracts,
Farhat, G. (2014) 'Dark chocolate rich in polyphenols improves insulin sensitivity in the adult non-diabetic population.' Endocrine Abstracts,
Farhat, G. (2014) 'A need to reconsider the definition of 'healthy participants' in epidemiological studies and clinical trials.' European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 68(6) pp. 724-725.
Farhat, G., Drummond, S., Fyfe, L., Al-Dujaili, E.A.S. (2014) 'Dark chocolate: An obesity paradox or a culprit for weight gain?.' Phytotherapy Research, 28(6) pp. 791-797.