THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF A HIGH GLYCEMIC INDEX MEAL COMBINED WITH PROLONGED SITTING ON VASCULAR FUNCTION: A RANDOMIZED CROSSOVER TRIAL

Chronic prolonged sitting and consumption of high glycemic index (GI) meals are known to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, it is currently unknown whether prolonged sitting and consumption of a high GI meal have a combined negative acute effect on local and central arterial stiffness (AS). Therefore, 18 young, healthy participants (21.7±2.5 y, 70% F, 25.5±6.1 kg/m2) were randomized to: 3h sitting with a high GI beverage (HGI) or a low GI beverage (LGI). Prolonged sitting (3 hours) and consumption of a HGI beverage increased central (brachial-femoral) AS, in the LGI (0.27 m/s) and the HGI (0.45 m/s) condition (p=0.027). Peripheral (femoral-ankle) PWV increased (0.211 m/s) regardless of the level of GI consumed. Carotid-femoral PWV was not influenced by prolonged sitting or HGI meal consumption. Sitting increases central and peripheral AS in young, healthy individuals. Consuming a HGI meal has a moderate detrimental effect on central (brachial-femoral) PWV.Master of Art