Meet Dr. Nieman

My entire academic career, I have been dedicated to advancing health through my research, teaching, textbooks, and service. I have always been interested in fitness and health; as an acrobatic gymnast and coach for ten years, I have run 58 marathons (my personal best time is 2:37). I currently reside on 13 acres in North Carolina mountains and grow blueberries, apples, grapes, and many types of vegetables. My wife Cathy is a registered dietitian and a great cook. 

I am currently a professor in the Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, at Appalachian State University, and director of the Human Performance Lab at the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis, NC. My research focuses on the influence of exercise and nutrition on immune health.  With my hard-working research group’s support, we established that regular brisk walking stimulates immunity and lowers the common cold’s risk. We also showed that post-exercise inflammation and oxidative stress could be countered by consuming fruits such as bananas and blueberries.  

I have received more than $11 million in research grants, published more than 375 scientific papers, and authored nine books on health, exercise, and nutrition. I am the Editor-in-Chief of the sports nutrition section of the journal “Nutrients and Frontiers in Nutrition” and sit on ten journal editorial boards. I served as vice-president of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and two terms as president of the International Society of Exercise and Immunology (ISEI).  I received ACSM’s Research Citation Research in 2013.  

I am excited about the potential impact Vitapod beverages will have on the health of people around the world. Brian Kennedy, the owner of Vitapod, came to my lab several years ago and laid out his vision. I have been enamored with his plan for healthy, tasty beverages that people would mix in their homes using an environmentally friendly process. I worked for several years with Brian’s team in developing nutrient-rich formulas with a focus on providing vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols that most people are typically under-consuming in their diets. 

In the end, what matters is health and quality of life. The Vitapod beverages will help ensure that you are doing all you can to provide your body with essential nutrients. You should have more energy, feel better mentally, and experience fewer colds and respiratory infections in the short term. Long-term benefits of the added polyphenols and nutrients will lower your risk for the most common chronic diseases that plague modern men and women. It’s what we mean when we say, “Vitapod drinks help refresh, restore and refuel your body, mind, and spirit.”

- Dr. Nieman