The goal of this placebo-controlled, 3-way crossover study is to determine the acute (24-h) bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of the major phytochemicals found whole barley and oats, as well as their effects on selected measures of antioxidation, inflammation, insulin sensitivity/glucose regulation, and vascular remodeling following challenge by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and postmenopausal women
• BMI 27-35.9 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cigarette smoking and/or nicotine replacement use
• Individuals taking estrogen
• Use of cholesterol-lowering medications
• Use of blood pressure-lowering medications
• Regular use of any stomach acid-lowering medications or laxatives (including fiber supplements)
• Cardiovascular (heart) disease
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Kidney disease
• Endocrine disease: including diabetes, untreated thyroid disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Active treatment for any type of cancer, except basal cell carcinoma, within 1 year prior to study admission
• Systolic blood pressure > 150 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 95 mmHg
• Regular use of oral steroids
• Regular daily intake of ≥ 2 alcoholic drinks
• Infrequent or excessive number of regular bowel movements
• Illicit drug use
• Vegetarians
• No fish oil supplements (including cod liver oil) for one month prior to study admission
• No dietary supplements, including those containing any vitamins, minerals, herbs, plant concentrates (including garlic, gingko, St. John's wort) or homeopathic remedies, for one month prior to study admission