Green Tea Confections For Managing Postprandial Hyperglycemia-Induced Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction

The study involves validating a green tea confection (i.e. "gummy" candy) as a dietary strategy to attenuate postprandial hyperglycemia-induced impairments in vascular function. The central hypothesis is that a green tea confection will protect against vascular endothelial dysfunction by suppressing postprandial hyperglycemia. The central hypothesis of this application will be assessed by providing research participants 75 grams of carbohydrate in the form of a confection that contains no green tea concentrate or green tea concentrate at a level equivalent to approximately 3 cups of freshly brewed tea. Blood glucose and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation will be assessed at regular intervals during the 3 hour postprandial period to define the extent to which green tea attenuates postprandial increases in blood glucose and decreases in vascular function that otherwise occur in a hyperglycemia-dependent manner.

Inclusion criteria

• Plasma glucose <100 mg/dL
• Plasma total cholesterol <200 mg/dL
• Plasma triglycerides <140 mg/dL
• Blood pressure <140/90
• non-dietary supplement user for >2 months
• no use of medications known to affect carbohydrate metabolism,
• nonsmoker / never smoker
• no history of cardiovascular disease or gastrointestinal disorders

Exclusion criteria

• allergies or aversions to green tea and/or corn starch,
• excessive alcohol consumption (>3 drinks/d),
• >5 h/wk of aerobic activity