Dr. van Dam’s research is mainly based on large-scale cohort studies integrating data on dietary intakes, dietary biomarkers, biomarkers of intermediate pathways, and genetic variation. In particular, he is interested in better defining optimal diets by combining dietary assessment with metabolomics and proteomics and evaluating associations between diet and health outcomes in populations with different food cultures. In addition, he conducts dietary intervention studies, meta-analyses, qualitative studies, and studies with continuous assessment of diet and activity through devices and ecological momentary assessment. He has conducted pioneering research on the impact of dietary composition on the development of type 2 diabetes. For example, he evaluated the role of dietary patterns, plant foods such as coffee, specific types of fruit, whole grains, and their polyphenol components, and animal foods such as processed meats. In recent years, his research has focused on assessing dietary intakes in multi-ethnic populations and the impact of dietary factors on cardio-metabolic health outcomes in Asian populations. Examples include studies on dietary patterns, tropical oils, and rice and noodle consumption, and the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. He has published over 330 peer-reviewed articles and has an H-index of 112.