• To assess whether acute, moderate Champagne wine consumption modulates endothelial function in healthy human volunteers.
• To establish the bioavailability of Champagne wine polyphenols and their metabolism.

Subjects refrained from consuming high polyphenol foods for 48 h prior to the start of the study and for 32 h post initiation. In particular, the following foods and beverages were excluded from volunteer diets: cocoa containing products, coffee, tea and wine. The study was designed as a single blind, randomized, crossover intervention trial, where volunteers were asked to consume either 375 ml of Champagne wine or a placebo matched for alcohol content, sugars and fruit-derived acids. Subjects were assessed for anthropometric measurements and provided a urine sample prior baseline Laser Doppler Imaging with iontophoresis (LDI) measurements. Subjects were then cannulated and a baseline blood sample was collected. Subjects were then randomly assigned to either the Champagne wine or placebo group and asked to consume the beverage within a 10 min period. Following a standardised breakfast blood samples were collected at: 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360 and 480 minutes post consumption and pooled urine samples were collected over 3 x 8 h periods. A standardised breakfast and lunch were also consumed at 15 and 200 minutes post beverage. LDI measurements were carried out at 120, 240, 360 and 480 minutes. Subjects also provided 24 h and 32 h blood and urine samples. Following a washout period of 28 days, volunteers returned to the unit to complete the second arm of the study where the procedure above was repeated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy male and female subjects, aged between 20 and 65 years, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 19 and 25 kg/m². Normal concentrations of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, gamma GT), normal hemoglobin, hematocrit and leucocyte counts and an absence of glucose and protein in urine

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with diabetes, any form of liver or gastrointestinal disorder, low BMI (<19), high blood pressure (>150/90 mm/Hg), anaemia, gall bladder problems, present illness, or those taking dietary supplements, vigorous exercise (> 3 x 20 min/week), or alcohol consumption more than 120 g (women) and 168 g (men) per week , pregnant or lactating females.

Healthy volunteers