The effect of dietary intake of Fruit and Vegetables on vascular function in type two Diabetes mellitus

INTERVENTION: There is a four‐week washout period where all 80 subjects take only one portion of fruit and vegetables per day. The subjects are then randomised to either one or six portions of fruit or vegetables for the next eight weeks. The total duration of the trial is 12 weeks for each subject. CONDITION: Type two diabetes and vascular disease ; Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine ; Non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus PRIMARY OUTCOME: Change in endothelial function as measured by venous occlusion plethsymography and pulse wave analysis/velocity. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Change in biochemical measures of vascular function:; 1. Total cholesterol; 2. High density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol; 3. High sensitivity C‐reactive protein (CRP); 4. Triglycerides; 5. Plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1); 6. Von Willebrand Factor; 7. Plasma glucose; 8. Serum insulin; 9. HbA1c; 10. Adhesion molecules; ; The subjects undergo assessment of vascular function at the end of the four‐week washout period and the eight‐week intervention period. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Male or female 2. Aged 40 ‐ 70 years 3. Type two diabetes on diet and/or oral hypoglycaemic therapy