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NIH-funded research R01 grant

Culturally adapted Mediterranean-style diet for heart and metabolic health in Puerto Rico

Official title: A culturally-tailored dietary trial for cardiometabolic health in Puerto Rico

Funded at Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11289357 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This program offers a Puerto Rico–adapted Mediterranean-style eating plan to adults 30–65 with at least one heart or diabetes risk factor to improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and overall metabolic health over two years.

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Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHarvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startJuly 19, 2023
Project endJanuary 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$561,292
NIH project number5R01MD018750-04
Project IDNIH-11289357 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal participants are adults 30–65 living in Puerto Rico who have at least one elevated cardiometabolic risk factor but do not yet have cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.

Less likely to help

People who already have diagnosed cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes, are outside the 30–65 age range, or do not live in Puerto Rico are unlikely to be eligible or receive direct benefit from this trial.

What this research studies

You would be randomly assigned to either a culturally tailored Mediterranean-like eating program or a standard healthy eating program for two years. The trial plans to enroll about 250 adults aged 30–65 in Puerto Rico who have at least one dysregulated cardiometabolic risk factor but do not have diagnosed cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes. Study staff will collect blood samples, measure blood pressure and cholesterol, and use questionnaires and other tests to track metabolite changes, psychosocial factors, and food access over time. The team builds on a small PROMED pilot that showed short-term benefits and aims to test whether these benefits last and which biological or social mechanisms drive them.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower blood pressure and raise HDL cholesterol, reducing long-term risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease for Puerto Rican adults.

How similar studies have gone: Large trials like PREDIMED showed Mediterranean diets lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and a small PROMED pilot in Puerto Rico found short-term improvements in blood pressure and HDL cholesterol, but long-term effects are unproven.

Where this research is happening

  • Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
    Boston, United States     Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Mattei, Josiemer — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
  • Study coordinator: Mattei, Josiemer

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.