This study will examine whether hesperidin, a major component of citrus fruits, affects how the body responds to insulin in healthy and obese people. Insulin is not as effective in people who are overweight, have high blood pressure or diabetes. This condition is known as insulin resistance. Laboratory studies suggest that hesperidin treatment lowers blood pressure, lowers blood sugar and increases blood flow. This study will see if hesperidin improves insulin resistance or insulin's effects on blood flow in people with insulin resistance.~Healthy normal weight or overweight people between 21 and 65 years of age may be eligible for this study. Participants are randomly assigned to take hesperidin or a placebo (inactive dummy pill ) for a 4-week treatment phase. In addition to treatment, participants undergo the following procedures during the study period:~Screening, including medical history, physical examination and blood and urine tests.~Complete a dietary and physical activity questionnaire and consult with a dietitian~Blood and urine tests~At-home and clinic blood pressure monitoring~Glucose clamp test to measure how the body responds to insulin. This test is done two times during the study. A needle is placed in a vein in each of the subject's arms, one for sampling blood and the other for infusing insulin, glucose and potassium. Glucose and insulin levels, electrolytes, lipids, fatty acids, cytokines and hesperidin levels are measured. We will also use tracer-labeled glucose to determine how much glucose the body produces in the fasting state and during the clamp. This type of glucose has low levels of radiation.~Forearm blood flow measurement with finger plethysmography device. Before beginning the glucose clamp test, a test of how well the blood vessels relax is done. A device that measures the blood flow in the vessels of the forefingers is used. The test is performed at the before the glucose clamp test and again 2 hours after the beginning of the clamp.
This study will examine whether hesperidin, a major component of citrus fruits, affects how the body responds to insulin in healthy and obese people. Laboratory studies suggest that hesperidin treatment lowers blood pressure, lowers blood sugar and increases blood flow. This study will see if hesperidin improves insulin resistance or insulin's effects on blood flow in people with insulin resistance.~Healthy normal weight or overweight people between 21 and 65 years of age may be eligible for this study. Participants are randomly assigned to take hesperidin or a placebo (inactive dummy pill ) for a 4-week treatment phase.