The proposed project will determine the influence of short-term FDSP intake on microvascular function in older men (60-80 years of age). The Framingham reactive hyperemia index (fRHI) will be used as a measure of microvascular function, and will be measured using peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT; EndoPAT200). Secondary outcomes will assess circulating levels of nitrate and nitrite, insulin-like growth factor (IGF), inflammatory cytokines, NADPH oxidase, platelet aggregation, plasma lipids and blood pressure. This suite of markers will provide insight on physiological outcomes and risk factors associated with CVD development, and the metabolic and signaling pathways that influence them. To accomplish the above, after a 4 week run in period of no powder intake, twenty men (60-80 years of age) will be randomly assigned to consume 39 g of FDSP or a control powder for four weeks in a randomized, double-blind, controlled crossover study. This study design will compare the short-term (four week) response of FDSP intake to an isocaloric control powder that provides no polyphenols, as well as to their habitual diet where no powder was consumed.
The overall objective of this proposed trial is to examine the vascular protective effects provided by the daily consumption of 39g of freeze dried strawberry powder (FDSP) for four weeks. The study population will be older men (60-80 years of age).