RPH Research Foundation

There is an accumulating body of literature reporting on dietary flavonoid intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in prospective cohort studies. This makes apparent the need for an overview and update on the current state of the science. To date, at least 27 prospective cohorts (in 44 publications) have evaluated the association between estimated habitual flavonoid intake and CVD risk. At this time, the totality of evidence suggests long-term consumption of flavonoid-rich foods may be associated with a lower risk of fatal and non-fatal ischemic heart disease (IHD), cerebrovascular disease, and total CVD; disease outcomes which are principally, though not exclusively, composed of cases of atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD). To date, few studies have investigated outcome specific ASCVD, such as peripheral artery disease (PAD) or ischemic stroke. Of the flavonoid subclasses investigated, evidence more often implicates diets rich in anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, and flavonols in lowering the risk of CVD. Although inferences are restricted by confounding and other inherent limitations of observational studies, causality appears possible based on biological plausibility, temporality, and the relative consistency of the reported associations. However, whether the associations observed represent a benefit of the isolated bioactives per se, or are a signal of the bioactives acting in concert with the co-occurring nutrient matrix within flavonoid-bearing foods, are issues of consideration. Thus, the simple interpretation, and the one most relevant for dietary advice, is that consumption of flavonoid-rich foods or diets higher in flavonoids, appear nutritionally beneficial in the prevention of CVD.

Sulfur is essential for the health of plants and is an indispensable dietary component for human health and disease prevention. Its incorporation into our food supply is heavily reliant upon the uptake of sulfur into plant tissue and our subsequent intake. Dietary requirements for sulfur are largely calculated based upon requirements for the sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA), cysteine and methionine, to meet the demands for synthesis of proteins, enzymes, co-enzymes, vitamins, and hormones. SAA are found in abundance in animal sources and are relatively low in plants. However, some plants, particularly cruciferous and allium vegetables, produce many protective sulfur-containing secondary metabolites, such as glucosinolates and cysteine sulfoxides. The variety and quantity of these sulfur-containing metabolites are extensive and their effects on human health are wide-reaching. Many benefits appear to be related to sulfur's role in redox biochemistry, protecting against uncontrolled oxidative stress and inflammation; features consistent within cardiometabolic dysfunction and many chronic metabolic diseases of aging. This narrative explores the origins and importance of sulfur, its incorporation into our food supply and dietary sources. It also explores the overarching potential of sulfur for human health, particularly around the amelioration of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, and subsequent chronic disease prevention.

Whether the vascular effects of inorganic nitrate, observed in clinical trials, translate to a reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) with habitual dietary nitrate intake in prospective studies warrants investigation. We aimed to determine if vegetable nitrate, the major dietary nitrate source, is associated with lower blood pressure (BP) and lower risk of incident CVD. Among 53,150 participants of the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Study, without CVD at baseline, vegetable nitrate intake was assessed using a comprehensive vegetable nitrate database. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using restricted cubic splines based on multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. During 23 years of follow-up, 14,088 cases of incident CVD were recorded. Participants in the highest vegetable nitrate intake quintile (median, 141 mg/day) had 2.58 mmHg lower baseline systolic BP (95%CI - 3.12, - 2.05) and 1.38 mmHg lower diastolic BP (95%CI - 1.66, - 1.10), compared with participants in the lowest quintile. Vegetable nitrate intake was inversely associated with CVD plateauing at moderate intakes (~ 60 mg/day); this appeared to be mediated by systolic BP (21.9%). Compared to participants in the lowest intake quintile (median, 23 mg/day), a moderate vegetable nitrate intake (median, 59 mg/day) was associated with 15% lower risk of CVD [HR (95% CI) 0.85 (0.82, 0.89)]. Moderate vegetable nitrate intake was associated with 12%, 15%, 17% and 26% lower risk of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, ischemic stroke and peripheral artery disease hospitalizations respectively. Consumption of at least ~ 60 mg/day of vegetable nitrate (~ 1 cup of green leafy vegetables) may mitigate risk of CVD.

Scope Nitrate and nitrite are approved food additives in some animal‐based food products. However, nitrate and nitrite in foods are strictly regulated due to health concerns over methaemoglobinaemia and the potential formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. In contrast, plants (like leafy vegetables) naturally accumulate nitrate ions; a growing body of research reveals beneficial metabolic effects of nitrate via its endogenous conversion to nitric oxide. To refine the association of dietary nitrate and nitrite intake with health outcomes, reliable measures of nitrate and nitrite intake from dietary food records are required. While a vegetable nitrate content database has been developed, there is a need for a comprehensive up‐to‐date nitrate and nitrite content database of animal‐based foods. Methods and Results A systematic literature search (1980–September 2020) on the nitrate and nitrite content of animal‐based foods is carried out. Nitrate and nitrite concentration data and other relevant information are extracted and compiled into a database. The database contains 1921 entries for nitrate and 2077 for nitrite, extracted from 193 publications. The highest median nitrate content is observed in chorizo (median [IQR]; 101.61 [60.05–105.93] mg kg ‐1 ). Canned fish products have the highest median nitrite level (median [IQR]; 20.32 [6.16–30.16] mg kg ‐1 ). By subgroup, the median nitrate value in industrial processed meat products (e.g., uncured burger, patties and sausages), whole milk powder and in particular red meat are higher than cured meat products. Processed meat products from high‐income regions have lower median nitrate and nitrite content than those of middle‐income regions. Conclusion This database can now be used to investigate the associations between nitrate and nitrite dietary intake and health outcomes in clinical trials and observational studies.

Introduction Higher flavonoid intakes are beneficially associated with pulmonary function parameters; however, their association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown. This study aimed to examine associations between intakes of 1) total flavonoids, 2) flavonoid subclasses and 3) major flavonoid compounds with incident COPD in participants from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health study. Methods This prospective cohort included 55 413 men and women without COPD, aged 50–65 years at recruitment. Habitual flavonoid intakes at baseline were estimated from a food frequency questionnaire using Phenol-Explorer. Danish nationwide registers were used to identify incident cases of COPD. Associations were modelled using restricted cubic splines within Cox proportional hazards models. Results During 23 years of follow-up, 5557 participants were diagnosed with COPD. Of these, 4013 were current smokers, 1062 were former smokers and 482 were never-smokers. After multivariable adjustments, participants with the highest total flavonoid intakes had a 20% lower risk of COPD than those with the lowest intakes (quintile 5 versus quintile 1: HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.74–0.87); a 6–22% lower risk was observed for each flavonoid subclass. The inverse association between total flavonoid intake and COPD was present in both men and women but only in current smokers (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.70–0.84) and former smokers (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69–0.97), not never-smokers. Furthermore, higher flavonoid intakes appeared to lessen, but not negate, the higher risk of COPD associated with smoking intensity. Conclusion Dietary flavonoids may be important for partially mitigating the risk of smoking-related COPD. However, smoking cessation should remain the highest priority.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The moderate glucose-lowering effect of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors is unlikely to explain SGLT2 inhibitor-mediated beneficial outcomes, and unravelling the underlying mechanisms is a high priority in the research community. Given the dominant pathophysiologic role of the sympathetic nervous system activation in conditions such as hypertension and perturbed glucose homeostasis, it is pertinent to postulate that SGLT2 inhibitors may exert their beneficial effects at least in part via sympathetic inhibition. RECENT FINDINGS: SGLT2 inhibitors have shown enormous potential to improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, and their therapeutic potential is currently being investigated in a range of associated comorbidities such as heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Indeed, recent experimental data in relevant animal models highlight a bidirectional interaction between sympathetic nervous system activation and SGLT2 expression, and this facilitates several of the features associated with SGLT2 inhibition observed in clinical trials including improved glucose metabolism, weight loss, increased diuresis, and lowering of blood pressure. Currently available data highlight the various levels of interaction between the sympathetic nervous system and SGLT2 expression and explores the potential for SGLT2 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in conditions commonly characterised by sympathetic activation.

INTRODUCTION: Apples, an important contributor to total dietary phenolic intake, are associated with cardiovascular health benefits. Determining the phenolic composition of apples, their individual variation across varieties, and the phenolic compounds present in plasma after apple consumption is integral to understanding the effects of apple phenolics on cardiovascular health. METHODS: Using liquid chromatography we quantified five important polyphenols and one phenolic acid with potential health benefits: quercetin glycosides, (-)-epicatechin, procyanidin B2, phloridzin, anthocyanins, and chlorogenic acid, in the skin and flesh of 19 apple varieties and 72 breeding selections from the Australian National Apple Breeding program. Furthermore, we measured the phenolic compounds in the plasma of 30 individuals post-consumption of an identified phenolic-rich apple, Cripp's Pink. RESULTS: Considerable variation in concentration of phenolic compounds was found between genotypes: quercetin (mean ± SD: 16.1 ± 5.9, range: 5.8-30.1 mg per 100 g); (-)-epicatechin (mean ± SD: 8.6 ± 5.8, range: 0.2-19.8 mg per 100 g); procyanidin B2 (mean ± SD: 11.5 ± 6.6, range: 0.5-26.5 mg per 100 g); phloridzin (mean ± SD: 1.1 ± 0.6, range: 0.3-4.3 mg per 100 g); anthocyanins (mean ± SD: 1.8 ± 4.4, range: 0-40.8 mg per 100 g); and chlorogenic acid (mean ± SD: 11.3 ± 9.9, range: 0.4-56.0 mg per 100 g). All phenolic compounds except chlorogenic acid were more concentrated in the skin compared with flesh. We observed a significant increase, with wide variation, in 14 phenolic compounds in plasma post-consumption of a phenolic-rich apple. CONCLUSION: This information makes an important contribution to understanding the potential health benefits of apples.

Endothelial glycocalyx (EG) shedding is associated with septic shock and described following intravenous (IV) fluid administration. To investigate the possible impact of IV fluids on the pathobiology of septic shock we investigated associations between biomarkers of EG shedding and endothelial cell activation, and relationships with IV fluid volume. Serum samples were obtained on admission (T0) and at 24 h (T24) in patients undergoing haemodynamic resuscitation for suspected septic shock in the emergency department. Biomarkers of EG shedding-Syndecan-1 (Syn-1), Syndecan-4 (Syn-4), Hyaluronan, endothelial activation-Endothelin-1 (ET-1), Angiopoeitin-2 (Ang-2), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1(VEGF-1) and leucocyte activation/inflammation-Resistin, Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and a marker of cardiac stretch-Pro-Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (Pro-ANP) were compared to the total IV fluid volume administered using Tobit regression. Data on 86 patients (52 male) with a mean age of 60 (SD 18) years were included. The mean fluid volume administered to T24 was 4038 ml (SD 2507 ml). No significant association between fluid volume and Pro-ANP or any of the biomarkers were observed. Syn-1 and Syn-4 were significantly correlated with each other (Spearman Rho 0.43, p < 0.001) but not with Hyaluronan. Syn-1 and Syn-4 both correlated with VEGFR-1 (Rho 0.56 and 0.57 respectively, p < 0.001) whereas Hyaluronan correlated with ET-1 (Rho 0.43, p < 0.001) and Ang-2 (Rho 0.43, p < 0.001). There was no correlation between Pro-ANP and any of the EG biomarkers. Distinct patterns of association between biomarkers of EG shedding and endothelial cell activation were observed among patients undergoing resuscitation for sepsis. No relationship between IV fluid volume and Pro-ANP or any of the other biomarkers was observed.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide is a free radical that can be produced from dietary nitrate and positively affects cardiovascular health. With cardiovascular health playing an important role in the etiology of dementia, we hypothesized a link between dietary nitrate intake and the risk of dementia. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to find the association of total, vegetable, and nonvegetable dietary nitrate intake with the risk of dementia and imaging markers of vascular brain health, such as total brain volume, global cerebral perfusion, white matter hyperintensity volume, microbleeds, and lacunar infarcts. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2009, dietary intake was assessed using food-frequency questionnaires in 9543 dementia-free participants (mean age, 64 y; 58% female) from the prospective population-based Rotterdam Study. Participants were followed up for incidence dementia until January 2020. We used Cox models to determine the association between dietary nitrate intake and incident dementia. Using linear mixed models and logistic regression models, we assessed the association of dietary nitrate intake with changes in imaging markers across 3 consecutive examination rounds (mean interval between images 4.6 y). RESULTS: Participants median dietary nitrate consumption was 85 mg/d (interquartile range, 55 mg/d), derived on average for 81% from vegetable sources. During a mean follow-up of 14.5 y, 1472 participants developed dementia. A higher intake of total and vegetable dietary nitrate was associated with a lower risk of dementia per 50-mg/d increase [hazard ratio (HR): 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.87, 0.98; and HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.97, respectively] but not with changes in neuroimaging markers. No association between nonvegetable dietary nitrate intake and the risk of dementia (HR: 1.15; 95% CI: 0.64, 2.07) or changes in neuroimaging markers were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A higher dietary nitrate intake from vegetable sources was associated with a lower risk of dementia. We found no evidence that this association was driven by vascular brain health.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate inflammation resolution may contribute to persistent low-grade inflammation that accompanies many chronic conditions. Resolution of inflammation is an active process driven by Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators (SPM) that derive from long chain n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. This study examined plasma SPM in relation to sex differences, lifestyle and a broad range cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in 978, 27-year olds from the Australian Raine Study. METHODS: were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMSMS). Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses assessed relationships between SPM and CVD risk factors. Unpaired t-tests or ANOVA assessed the effect of sex, smoking, unhealthy alcohol consumption and obesity on SPM. RESULTS: Women had higher 17-HDHA (p = 0.01) and lower RvE1 (p < 0.0001) and RvD1 (p = 0.05) levels compared with men. In univariate analysis, obesity associated with lower RvE1 (p = 0.002), whereas smoking (p < 0.001) and higher alcohol consumption (p < 0.001) associated with increased RvE1. In multiple regression analysis, plasma RvE1 was negatively associated with a range of measures of adiposity including BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, abdominal subcutaneous fat volume, and skinfold thicknesses in both men and women. CONCLUSION: This population study suggests that a deficiency in plasma RvE1 may occur in response to increasing adiposity. This observation could be relevant to ongoing inflammation that associates with CVD and other chronic diseases.

Higher intakes of cruciferous and allium vegetables are associated with a lower risk of cardiometabolic-related outcomes in observational studies. Whilst acknowledging the many healthy compounds within these vegetables, animal studies indicate that some of these beneficial effects may be partially mediated by S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO), a sulfur-rich, non-protein, amino acid found almost exclusively within cruciferous and alliums. This scoping review explores evidence for SMCSO, its potential roles in human health and possible mechanistic action. After systematically searching several databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus Full Text, Agricultural Science), we identified 21 original research articles meeting our inclusion criteria. These were limited primarily to animal and in vitro models, with 14/21 (67%) indicating favorable anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, and antioxidant properties. Potential mechanisms included increased bile acid and sterol excretion, altered glucose-and cholesterol-related enzymes, and improved hepatic and pancreatic -cell function. Raising antioxidant defenses may help mitigate the oxidative damage observed in these pathologies. Anticancer and antibacterial effects were also explored, along with one steroidogenic study. SMCSO is frequently overlooked as a potential mediator to the benefits of sulfur-rich vegetables. More research into the health benefits of SMCSO, especially for cardiometabolic and inflammatory-based pathology, is warranted. Human studies are especially needed.

Health-related behaviours contribute to the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiovascular imaging can be used to screen asymptomatic individuals for increased risk of CVD to enable earlier interventions to promote health-related behaviours to prevent or reduce CVD risk. Some theories of behaviour and behaviour change assume that engagement in a given behaviour is a function of individual threat appraisals, beliefs regarding the performance of behaviour, self-efficacy for performing the desired behaviour and/or dispositions to act (e.g. behavioural intentions). To date, little is known about the impact of cardiovascular imaging interventions on these constructs. This article summarises evidence related to perceived threat, efficacy beliefs, and behavioural intentions after CVD screening. We identified 10 studies (2 RCTs and 8 non-randomised studies, n = 2498) through a combination of screening citations from published systematic reviews and meta-analyses and searching electronic databases. Of these, 7 measured behavioural intentions and perceived susceptibility and 3 measured efficacy beliefs. Findings showed largely encouraging effects of screening interventions on bolstering self-efficacy beliefs and strengthening behavioural intentions. Imaging results that suggest the presence of coronary or carotid artery disease also increased perceived susceptibility to CVD. However, the review also identified some gaps in the literature, such as a lack of guiding theoretical frameworks and assessments of critical determinants of health-related behaviours. By carefully considering the key issues highlighted in this review, we can make significant strides towards reducing CVD risks and improving population health.

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Evidence is accumulating for improved cardiovascular health with dietary nitrate intake. This review identifies and discusses the potential for nitrate to improve cognitive function and markers of brain health, and to reduce risk of dementia.

The purpose of the present paper is to (a) summarize evidence for the nanoparticle nature and biological effects of traditional homeopathically-prepared medicines at low and ultralow doses; (b) provide details of historically-based homeopathic green manufacturing materials and methods, relating them to top-down mechanical attrition and plant-based biosynthetic processes in modern nanotechnology; (c) outline the potential roles of nonlinear dose-responses and dynamical interactions with complex adaptive systems in generating endogenous amplification processes during low dose treatment. Possible mechanisms of low dose effects, for which there is evidence involving nanoparticles and/or homeopathically-manufactured medicines, include hormesis, time-dependent sensitization, and stochastic resonance. All of the proposed mechanisms depend upon endogenous nonlinear amplification processes in the recipient organism in interaction with the salient, albeit weak signal properties of the medicine. Conventional ligand-receptor mechanisms relevant to higher doses are less likely involved. Effects, especially for homeopathically-prepared nanophytomedicines, include bidirectional host state-dependent changes in function. Homeopathic clinicians report successful treatment of serious infections and cancers. Preclinical biological evidence is consistent with such claims. Controlled biological data on homeopathically-prepared medicines indicate modulation of gene expression and biological signaling pathways regulating cell cycles, immune reactions, and central nervous system function from studies on cells, animals, and human subjects. As a 200-year old system of traditional medicine used by millions of people worldwide, homeopathy offers a pulsed low dose treatment strategy and strong safety record to facilitate progress in translational nanomedicine with plants and other natural products. In turn, modern nanotechnology methods can improve homeopathic manufacturing procedures, characterize nanoparticle end-products, and describe interactions of homeopathic nanophytomedicines with living systems at the nanoparticle and even individual organism level of detection. Faster progress toward safe and effective personalized nanophytomedicine treatments can result.

. For hip fractures, a similar relationship was apparent. Higher dietary Vitamin K1 is associated with lower long-term risk for any fracture- and hip fracture-related hospitalizations in community-dwelling older women.

Three-dimensional (3D) food printing is a rapidly emerging technology offering unprecedented potential for customised food design and personalised nutrition. Here, we evaluate the technological advances in extrusion-based 3D food printing and its possibilities to promote healthy and sustainable eating. We consider the challenges in implementing the technology in real-world applications. We propose viable applications for 3D food printing in health care, health promotion and food waste upcycling. Finally, we outline future work on 3D food printing in food safety, acceptability and economics, ethics and regulations.

Myocardial injury due to ischaemia within 30 days of non-cardiac surgery is prognostically relevant. We aimed to determine the discrimination, calibration, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of single-layer and multiple-layer neural networks for myocardial injury and death within 30 postoperative days. We analysed data from 24,589 participants in the Vascular Events in Non-cardiac Surgery Patients Cohort Evaluation study. Validation was performed on a randomly selected subset of the study population. Discrimination for myocardial injury by single-layer vs. multiple-layer models generated areas (95%CI) under the receiver operating characteristic curve of: 0.70 (0.69-0.72) vs. 0.71 (0.70-0.73) with variables available before surgical referral, p < 0.001; 0.73 (0.72-0.75) vs. 0.75 (0.74-0.76) with additional variables available on admission, but before surgery, p < 0.001; and 0.76 (0.75-0.77) vs. 0.77 (0.76-0.78) with the addition of subsequent variables, p < 0.001. Discrimination for death by single-layer vs. multiple-layer models generated areas (95%CI) under the receiver operating characteristic curve of: 0.71 (0.66-0.76) vs. 0.74 (0.71-0.77) with variables available before surgical referral, p = 0.04; 0.78 (0.73-0.82) vs. 0.83 (0.79-0.86) with additional variables available on admission but before surgery, p = 0.01; and 0.87 (0.83-0.89) vs. 0.87 (0.85-0.90) with the addition of subsequent variables, p = 0.52. The accuracy of the multiple-layer model for myocardial injury and death with all variables was 70% and 89%, respectively.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Dietary nitrate improves cardiovascular health via a nitric oxide (NO) pathway. NO is key to both cardiovascular and brain health. There is also a strong association between vascular risk factors and brain health. Dietary nitrate intake could therefore be associated with better cognitive function and reduced risk of cognitive decline. This is yet to be investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between habitual intake of dietary nitrate from sources where nitrate is naturally present, and cognitive function, and cognitive decline, in the presence or absence of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele. METHODS: The study included 1254 older adult participants of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Study of Ageing who were cognitively normal at baseline. Plant-derived, vegetable-derived, animal derived nitrate (not including meat where nitrate is an allowed additive), and total nitrate intakes were calculated from baseline food frequency questionnaires using comprehensive nitrate databases. Cognition was assessed at baseline and every 18 months over a follow-up period of 126 months using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. Multivariable-adjusted linear mixed effect models were used to examine the association between baseline nitrate intake and cognition over the 126 months (median [IQR] follow-up time of 36 [18-72] months), stratified by APOE ε4 carrier status. RESULTS: In non APOE ε4 carriers, for every 60 mg/day higher intake of plant-derived nitrate at baseline there was an associated higher language score [β (95% CI): 0.10 (0.01, 0.19)] over 126 months, after multivariable adjustments. In APOE ε4 carriers, there was an associated better episodic recall memory [0.24 (0.08, 0.41)] and recognition memory [0.15 (0.01, 0.30)] scores. Similar associations were seen for the intakes of vegetable-derived and total nitrate. Additionally, in APOE ε4 carriers, for every 6 mg/day higher intake of animal-derived nitrate (excluding meat with nitrate as an allowed additive) at baseline there was an associated higher executive function score [β (95% CI): 1.41 (0.42, 2.39)]. We did not find any evidence of an association between dietary nitrate intake and rate of cognitive decline. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that habitual intake of dietary nitrate from sources where nitrate is naturally present impacts cognitive performance in an APOE genotype contingent manner. Further work is needed to validate our findings and understand potential mechanisms underlying the observed effects.

BACKGROUND: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is recommended for cardiovascular health. However, the majority of Australians do not consume the recommended number of vegetable servings each day. Furthermore, intakes of vegetables considered to have the greatest cardiovascular benefit are often very low. Results from prospective observational studies indicate that a higher consumption of cruciferous vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk. This may be due to the presence of specific nutrients and bioactive compounds found almost exclusively, or at relatively high levels, in cruciferous vegetables. Therefore, the aim of this randomised controlled crossover trial is to determine whether regular consumption of cruciferous vegetables results in short-term improvement in measures related to cardiovascular disease risk, including ambulatory blood pressure, arterial stiffness, glycaemic control, and circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation. METHODS: Twenty-five participants (50-75 years) with mildly elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure 120-160 mmHg) will complete two 2-week intervention periods in random order, separated by a 2-week washout period. During the intervention period, participants will consume 4 servings (~ 300 g) of cruciferous vegetables per day as a soup (~ 500-600 mL/day). The 'control' soup will consist of other commonly consumed vegetables (potato, sweet potato, carrot, pumpkin). Both soups will be approximately matched for energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate content. All measurements will be performed at the beginning and end of each intervention period. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study will provide evidence regarding the potential cardiometabolic health benefits of cruciferous vegetables, which may contribute to the revision of dietary and clinical guidelines. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry on 19th September 2019 (ACTRN12619001294145).