Tea-beetroot-venous Occlusion Plethysmography

Exploratory Study on the Effect of Nutritional Intervention on Postprandial Skeletal Muscle Microcirculation in Obese Subjects

In the present study, muscle perfusion will be studied before and after an oral glucose challenge following a fasting period.

Based on data from previous studies, this physiological response is blunted in obese subjects, and the investigators expect these responses to be restored when the glucose load is combined with tea or beetroot juice in obese, insulin resistant men.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male sex
• Aged 30-70 years.
• Obesity (BMI>30 kg/m2)
• insulin resistance as fasting glucose levels >6.1 mmol/L.
• Reported intense sport activities >10 h/w.
• Reported alcohol consumption >28 units/w
• Signed Informed consent
• Currently not smoking and being a non-smoker for at least 3 months prior to the start of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2.
• Presence of cardiovascular disease.
• Presence of sudden cardiac death in a 1st degree relative at an age <50 years.
• Presence of diabetes mellitus type 2.
• Regular tea drinker (> 2 cups per day)