Endothelial dysfunction is an early predictor of cardiovascular events in at-risk patients. It is characterized by impaired endothelium-dependent dilation and is primarily caused by reduced nitric oxide bioavailability secondary to oxidative stress and inflammation. Finding dietary/dietary supplement-oriented approaches to improving endothelial function is of public health interest.

A randomized double-blind placebo controlled 4-way crossover study will be conducted to determine if acute consumption of a proprietary polyphenol extract (156 mg / 222 mg / 333 mg) will have a dose dependent response on endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (ED-FMD) in fasting conditions, in comparison to a placebo (maltodextrin) in male smokers (20 - 45 years; n=20).FMD and blood pressure will be assessed at 0 & 2 hour timepoints following consumption of a single dose of polyphenol extract, accompanying blood samples will be collected to assess a range of endpoints including nitric oxide metabolites, angiotensin and polyphenols metabolites. Endothelium-independent vasodilation will also be measured 2 hours post consumption.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least two of the following risk markers; a BMI 25-30, waist circumference >94 cm, high normal blood pressure defined as either systolic 85-89 mmHg or diastolic 130-139 mmHg and have a normal ECG.

Exclusion Criteria:

• An individual who has tested positive (self reported) 2 weeks before the study period.
• A COVID-19 vaccinated individual who while receive the 1st or 2nd dose or booster 2 weeks before V0 or during the study period, due to the potential interaction of vaccine on markers assessed

Polyphenols have a gender effect, a single sex population was chosen to increase homogeneity of test population and therefore likelihood of observing an FMD response. Males were selected.

Double-blinded