Gut-level Antiinflammatory Activities of Green Tea in Metabolic Syndrome

Inclusion criteria: Individuals with ≥3 of the following established criteria for metabolic syndrome: * Fasting glucose 100-126 mg/dL * Waist circumference \>89/\>102 cm for females/males * HDL-C \<50/\<40 mg/dL for females/males * Triglyceride \>150 mg/dL * Blood pressure \>130/85 mmHg Healthy adults: * Body weight 19-25 kg/m2 * Fasting glucose \<100 mg/dL * HDL-C \>50/\>40 mg/dL for females/males * Triglyceride \<150 mg/dL * Blood pressure \<120/80 mmHg Exclusion criteria: * Concurrent tea consumption * Use of dietary supplements, prebiotics, or probiotics * Use of antibiotics or antiinflammatory agents * History of liver disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension (blood pressure \>140/90 mmHg), or cancer * History of gastrointestinal disorders, chronic diarrhea, or surgeries * Hemochromatosis * Parkinson's disease * Use of medications to manage diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia * Use of antipsychotic medications \[Clozapine, lithium, Diazepam\] * Use of blood thinning medications \[Warfarin\] * Use of high blood pressure medications \[nadolol\] * Use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors \[selegiline\] * Alcohol consumption \>2 drinks/d * Smoking tobacco * Vegetarian * Pregnancy, lactation, or recent changes in birth control use for women