The absorption kinetics of polyphenols in angel's plant (Angelica keiskei), which is a dark green leafy vegetable rich in antioxidant nutrients, will be determined in older adults in this pilot study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy subjects (>60 yr, n=5)

• subjects with metabolic syndrome (>60 yr, n=5)

• Subjects who has

  • high fasting plasma glucose (>5.6 mmol/L),
  • central obesity (waist-hip ratio, >0.9 for men, >0.85 for women)
  • either high blood pressure (>130/85 mmHg) or high triacylglycerol (>1.7 mmol/L) will be selected to have metabolic syndrome.

• normal hematological parameters, normal serum albumin, normal liver function, and normal kidney function

• no history of smoking or alcoholism.

Exclusion Criteria:

• consume >7 alcoholic drinks/wk
• taking cholesterol medication or hormone replacement