Staff Profile

Dr. Oliver Shannon is a Lecturer in Nutrition & Ageing within the Human Nutrition Research Centre at Newcastle University.  

Dr. Shannon's research primarily explores the impact of nutrition (especially healthy dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, and inorganic nitrate) on cognitive and cardiovascular ageing. His work applies a variety of research approaches including evidence synthesis (e.g., systematic reviews, meta-analyses, umbrella reviews), epidemiological analyses, and randomised controlled trials. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles in leading nutrition journals including the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the British Journal of Nutrition, and the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. He also has an interest in nutrition and sports performance, where he has published research in leading Sports Science journals and worked with a number of international athletes.  

Dr. Shannon's research is supported by grants from Rank Prize, Public Health England, the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council and BBSRC.

Dr. Shannon is currently accepting PhD students in the following areas:

• Nutrition for the promotion of healthy cognitive ageing
• Inter-individual differences in the effects of nutrition on cardiovascular/cognitive function
• Impact of dietary nitrate on health and exercise performance

• Articles

  • Shannon OM, Ranson JM, Gregory S, Macpherson H, Milte C, Lentjes M, Mulligan A, McEvoy C, Griffiths A, Matu J, Hill TR, Adamson A, Siervo M, Minihane AM, Muniz-Tererra G, Ritchie C, Mathers JC, Lewellyn DJ, Stevenson E. Mediterranean diet adherence is associated with lower dementia risk, independent of genetic predisposition: Findings from the UK Biobank prospective cohort study. BMC Medicine 2023, 21, 81.
  • Lbban E, Ashor A, Shannon OM, Idris I, Siervo M. Is vitamin C a booster of the effects of dietary nitrate on endothelial function? Physiological rationale and implications for research. Nutrition 2023, 109, 111995.
  • Shannon OM, Clifford T, Seals DR, Craighead DH, Rossman MJ. Nitric oxide, aging and aerobic exercise: Sedentary individuals to Master’s athletes. Nitric Oxide 2022, 125-126, 31-39.
  • Gregory S, Ritchie CW, Ritchie K, Shannon OM, Stevenson EJ, Muniz-Terrera G. Mediterranean diet score is associated with greater allocentric processing in the EPAD LCS cohort: A comparative analysis by biogeographical region. Frontiers in Aging 2022, 3, 1012598.
  • Gregory S, Pullen H, Ritchie CW, Shannon OM, Stevenson EJ, Muniz-Terrera G. Mediterranean diet and structural neuroimaging biomarkers of Alzheimer's and cerebrovascular disease: A systematic review. Experimental Gerontology 2022, 172, 112065.
  • Babateen AM, Shannon OM, O'brien GM, Okello E, Smith E, Olgacer D, Koehl C, Fostier W, Wightman E, Kennedy D, Mathers JC, Siervo M. Incremental Doses of Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice Do Not Modify Cognitive Function and Cerebral Blood Flow in Overweight and Obese Older Adults: A 13-Week Pilot Randomised Clinical Trial. Nutrients 2022, 14(5), 1052.
  • Whyte E, Sutcliffe A, Keegan P, Clifford T, Matu J, Shannon OM, Griffiths A. Effects of partial penectomy for penile cancer on sexual function: A systematic review. PloS One 2022, 17(9), e0274914.
  • Kimble R, Gouinguenet P, Ashor A, Stewart C, Deighton K, Matu J, Griffiths A, Malcomson FC, Joel A, Houghton D, Stevenson E, Minihane AE, Siervo M, Shannon OM, Mathers JC. Effects of a Mediterranean diet on the gut microbiota and microbial metabolites: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials and observational studies. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 2022, (ePub ahead of Print).
  • Shannon OM, Gregory S, Siervo M. Dietary nitrate, aging and brain health: The latest evidence. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care 2022, Epub ahead of print.
  • Siervo M, Babateen A, Alharbi M, Stephan B, Shannon O. Dietary Nitrate and Brain Health. Too much ado about nothing or a solution for dementia prevention?. British Journal of Nutrition 2022, 128(6), 1130-1136.
  • Shannon OM, Allen JD, Bescos R, Burke L, Clifford T, Easton C, Gonzalez JT, Jones AM, Jonvik KL, Larsen FJ, Peeling P, Piknova B, Siervo M, Vanhatalo A, McGawley K, Porcelli S. Dietary inorganic nitrate as an ergogenic aid: An expert consensus derived via the modified Delphi technique. Sports Medicine 2022, (ePub ahead of Print).
  • Pereira LCR, Shannon OM, Mazidi M, Babateen AM, Ashor AW, Stephan BCM, Siervo M. Relationship between urinary nitrate concentrations and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the NHANES survey. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 2021, 72(6), 805-815.
  • Siervo M, Rubele S, Shannon OM, Prado CM, Donini LM, Zamboni M, Homayounfar R, Farjam M, Faghih S, Mazidi M. Prevalence of sarcopenic obesity and association with metabolic syndrome in an adult Iranian cohort: The Fasa PERSIAN cohort study. Clinical Obesity 2021, 11(4), e12459.
  • Shannon OM, Ashor AW, Scialo F, Saretzki G, MartinRuiz C, Lara J, Matu J, Griffiths A, Robinson N, Lillà L, Stevenson E, Stephan BCM, Minihane AM, Siervo M, Mathers JC. Mediterranean diet and the hallmarks of ageing. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2021, 75, 1176-1192.
  • Siervo M, Shannon OM, Llewellyn DJ, Stephan BCM, Fontana L. Mediterranean diet and cognitive function: From methodology to mechanisms of action. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 2021, 176, 105-117.
  • McGrattan A, Stephan BCM, Shannon OM, Mazidi M, Gilchrist M, Smallwood M, Winyard P, McMahon N, Blekkenhorst LC, Mohan D, Bandinelli S, Robinson L, Ferrucci L, Siervo M. Independent and interactive associations of dietary nitrate and salt intake with blood pressure and cognitive function: a cross-sectional analysis in the InCHIANTI study. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 2022, 73(4), 491-502.
  • Kandhari N, Prabhakar M, Shannon O, Fostier W, Koehl C, Rogathi J, Temu G, Stephan BCM, Gray WK, Haule I, Paddick S-M, Mmbaga BT, Walker R, Siervo M. Feasibility and acceptability of a nutritional intervention testing the effects of nitrate-rich beetroot juice and folic acid on blood pressure in Tanzanian adults with elevated blood pressure. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 2021, 72(2), 195-207.
  • Shannon OM, Lee V, Bundy R, Gillings R, Jennings A, Stephan B, Hornberger M, Balanos GM, Paddick SM, Hanson S, Hardeman W, Holmes R, Garner N, Aldred S, Siervo M, Mathers JCM, Minihane AM. Feasibility and acceptability of a multi-domain intervention to increase Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activity in older UK adults at risk of dementia: protocol for the MedEx-UK randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2021, 11(2), e042823.
  • Cowell OR, Mistry N, Deighton K, Matu J, Griffiths A, Minihane AM, Mathers JC, Shannon OM, Siervo M. Effects of a Mediterranean diet on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and observational studies. Journal of Hypertension 2021, 39(4), 729-739.
  • Babateen AM, Shannon OM, O'Brien GM, Okello E, Khan AA, Rubele S, Wightman E, Smith E, McMahon N, Olgacer D, Koehl C, Fostier W, Mendes I, Kennedy D, Mathers JC, Siervo M. Acceptability and Feasibility of a 13-Week Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial Testing the Effects of Incremental Doses of Beetroot Juice in Overweight and Obese Older Adults. Nutrients 2021, 13(3), 769.
  • Babateen AM, Rubele S, Shannon O, Okello E, Smith E, McMahon N, O'Brien G, Wightman E, Kennedy D, Mathers JC, Siervo M. Protocol and recruitment results from a 13-week randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of different doses of nitrate-rich beetroot juice on cognition, cerebral blood flow and peripheral vascular function in overweight and obese older people. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications 2020, 18, 100571.
  • Stevenson EJ, Shannon OM, Minihane AM, Adamson A, Burns A, Hill T, Sniehotta F, Muniz-Terrera G, Ritchie CW. NuBrain: UK consortium for optimal nutrition for healthy brain ageing. Nutrition Bulletin 2020, 45(2), 223-229.
  • Siervo M, Shannon O, Kandhari N, Prabhakar M, Fostier W, Köchl C, Rogathi J, Temu G, Stephan BCM, Gray WK, Haule I, Paddick SM, Mmbaga BT, Walker R. Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice Reduces Blood Pressure in Tanzanian Adults with Elevated Blood Pressure: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial. Journal of Nutrition 2020, 150(9), 2460-2468.
  • Shannon OM, Mendes I, Köchl C, Mazidi M, Ashor AW, Rubele S, Minihane AM, Mathers JC, Siervo M. Mediterranean diet increases endothelial function in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The Journal of Nutrition 2020, 150(5), 1151–1159.
  • Ashor AW, Shannon OM, Werner A-D, Scialo F, Gilliard CN, Cassel KS, Seal CJ, Zheng D, Mathers JC, Siervo M. Effects of inorganic nitrate and vitamin C co-supplementation on blood pressure and vascular function in younger and older healthy adults: a randomised double-blind crossover trial. Clinical Nutrition 2020, 39(3), 708-717.
  • Griffiths A, Deighton K, Shannon OM, Boos C, Rowe J, Matu J, King R, O'Hara JP. Appetite and energy intake responses to breakfast consumption and carbohydrate supplementation in hypoxia. Appetite 2020, 147, 104564.
  • Babateen AM, Shannon OM, Mathers JC, Siervo M. Validity and reliability of test strips for the measurement of salivary nitrite concentration with and without the use of mouthwash in healthy adults. Nitric Oxide 2019, 91, 15-22.
  • Griffiths A, Deighton K, Shannon OM, Matu J, King R, O'Hara JP. Substrate oxidation and the influence of breakfast in normobaric hypoxia and normoxia. European Journal of Applied Physiology 2019, 119, 1909–1920.
  • Andersson EP, Govus AD, Shannon OM, McGawley K. Sex differences in performance and pacing strategies during sprint skiing. Frontiers in Physiology 2019, 10, 295.
  • Carr A, McGawley K, Govus A, Andersson EP, Shannon OM, Mattsson S, Melin A. Nutritional Intake in Elite Cross-Country Skiers During Two Days of Training and Competition. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 2019, 29(3), 273-281.
  • Shannon O, Stephan BCM, Granic A, Lentjes M, Hayat S, Mulligan A, Brayne C, Khaw KT, Bundy R, Aldred S, Hornberger M, Paddick S-M, Muniz-Tererra G, Minihane A-M, Mathers JCM, Siervo M. Mediterranean diet adherence and cognitive function in older UK adults: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition–Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) Study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2019, 110(4), 938-948.
  • Shannon OM, Grisotto G, Babateen A, McGrattan A, Brandt K, Mathers JC, Siervo M. Knowledge and beliefs about dietary inorganic nitrate among UK-based nutrition professionals: development and application of the KINDS online questionnaire. BMJ Open 2019, 9(10), e030719.
  • Clifford T, Babateen A, Shannon OM, Capper T, Ashor A, Stephan B, Robinson L, O'Hara JP, Mathers JC, Stevenson E, Siervo M. Effects of inorganic nitrate and nitrite consumption on cognitive function and cerebral blood flow: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 2019, 59(15), 2400-2410.
  • Deighton K, King AJ, Matu J, Shannon OM, Whiteman O, Long A, Huby MD, Sekula M, Holliday A. A single day of mixed-macronutrient overfeeding does not elicit compensatory appetite or energy intake responses but exaggerates postprandial lipemia during the next day in healthy young men. British Journal of Nutrition 2019, 121(8), 945-954.
  • Shannon OM, Babateen A, Grisotto G, Mathers JC, Siervo M. No effect of 4 wk of nitrate-rich vegetable consumption on blood pressure: reflections for future research. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2018, 108(6), 1352-1353.
  • Govus AD, Andersson EP, Shannon OM, Provis H, Karlsson M, McGawley K. Commercially available compression garments or electrical stimulation do not enhance recovery following a sprint competition in elite cross-country skiers. European Journal of Sport Science 2018, 18(10), 1299-1308.
  • Nybäck L, Glannerud C, Larsson G, Weitzberg E, Shannon OM, McGawley K. Physiological and performance effects of nitrate supplementation during roller-skiing in normoxia and normobaric hypoxia. Nitric Oxide 2017, 70, 1-8.
  • Shannon OM, Duckworth L, Barlow MJ, Deighton K, Matu J, Williams EL, Woods D, Xie L, Stephan BCM, Siervo M, O'Hara JP. Effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on physiological responses, cognitive function, and exercise performance at moderate and very-high simulated altitude. Frontiers in Physiology 2017, 8, 401.
  • Lowings S, Shannon OM, Deighton K, Matu J, Barlow MJ. Effect of dietary nitrate supplementation on swimming performance in trained swimmers. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism 2017, 27(4), 377-384.
  • Shannon OM, Barlow MJ, Duckworth L, Williams E, Wort G, Woods D, Siervo M, O'Hara JP. Dietary nitrate supplementation enhances short but not longer duration running time-trial performance. European Journal of Applied Physiology 2017, 117(4), 775-785.
  • Matu J, Deighton K, Ispoglou T, Shannon OM, Duckworth L. A high fat breakfast attenuates the suppression of appetite and acylated ghrelin during exercise at simulated altitude. Physiology & Behaviour 2017, 179, 353-360.
  • Shannon OM, McGawley K, Nyback L, Duckworth L, Barlow MJ, Woods D, Siervo M, O'Hara JP. “Beet-ing” the Mountain: A Review of the Physiological and Performance Effects of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation at Simulated and Terrestrial Altitude. Sports Medicine 2017, 47(11), 2155-2169.
  • Shannon OM, Barlow MJ, Duckworth L, Woods D, Barker T, Grindrod A, Griffiths A, OHara JP. The Reliability of a Pre-Loaded Treadmill Time-Trial in Moderate Normobaric Hypoxia. International Journal of Sports Medicine 2016, 37(10), 825-830.
  • Shannon OM, Duckworth L, Barlow MJ, Woods D, Lara J, Siervo M, O'Hara JP. Dietary nitrate supplementation enhances high-intensity running performance in moderate normobaric hypoxia, independent of aerobic fitness. Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry 2016, 59, 63-70.
  • McGawley K, Shannon O, Betts J. Ingesting a high-dose carbohydrate solution during the cycle section of a simulated Olympic-distance triathlon improves subsequent run performance. Applied Physiology, Nutrition & Metabolism 2012, 37(4), 664-671.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

  • Siervo M, Scialo F, Shannon OM, Stephan BCM, Ashor AW. Does dietary nitrate say NO to cardiovascular ageing? Current evidence and implications for research. In: The Nutrition Society Irish Section Meeting. 2018, Queen's University, Belfast: Cambridge University Press.

• Letter

  • Shannon OM, Stephan BCM, Minihane A-M, Mathers JCM, Siervo M. Nitric oxide boosting effects of the Mediterranean diet: A potential mechanism of action. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A 2018, 73(7), 902-904.

• Reviews

  • Griffiths A, Matu J, Whyte E, Akin-Nibosun P, Clifford T, Stevenson E, Shannon OM. The Mediterranean dietary pattern for optimising health and performance in competitive athletes: A narrative review. British Journal of Nutrition 2022, 128(7), 1285-1298.
  • Shannon OM, Easton C, Shepherd AI, Siervo M, Bailey SJ, Clifford T. Dietary nitrate and population health: a narrative review of the translational potential of existing laboratory studies. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation 2021, 13(1), 65.
  • Nolan R, Shannon OM, Robinson N, Joel A, Houghton D, Malcomson FC. It’s no has bean: A review of the effects of white kidney bean extract on body composition and metabolic health. Nutrients 2020, 12(5), 1398.
  • Johnson KO, Shannon OM, Matu J, Holliday A, Ispoglou T, Deighton K. Differences in circulating appetite-related hormone concentrations between younger and older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 2020, 32, 1233-1244.
  • Griffiths A, Shannon OM, Matu J, King R, Deighton K, O'Hara JP. The effects of environmental hypoxia on substrate utilisation during exercise: A meta-analysis. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2019, 16(1), 10.