The Effects of Apple Derived Flavanols on Cardiovascular Disease Risk (FLAVASCULAR Study)

Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women ≥ 50 years of age * Systolic blood pressure 130 - 159 mmHg Exclusion Criteria: * History of cardiovascular events such as stroke, myocardial infarction trans- ischaemic attacks or peripheral vascular disease * Kidney or liver disease/problems * Diabetes * Asthmatics (unless no medication taken for 1 year - occasional use will be assessed on an individual basis) * Prescribed anti-hypertensive medication * HRT (unless the participant has used the therapy for ≥ 6 months) * Lipid lowering therapies e.g. statins * Other medications that may affect any of the study outcome measures e.g. vasodilators (this will be assessed on a case by case basis) * Current smoker (or stopped for less than 3 months) * Throat surgery or neck injury * Allergy to apples * Consumption of fish oil supplements unless willing to discontinue them up for 4 weeks preceding the start of the study and for the duration of the study. (All other supplements will be assessed on a case by case basis) * Gastro-intestinal diseases (excluding hiatus hernia unless symptomatic or study intervention/procedure is contra-indicated). * Parallel participation in another research project which involves dietary intervention * Participation in another research project which has involved blood sampling within the last four months unless the total amount of combined blood from both studies does not exceed 470 ml. * Has donated or intends to donate blood within 16 weeks prior to or during the study period. * Depressed or elevated blood pressure measurements (\<90/50 or 95/55 if symptomatic or \>160/100 (mmHg)) during the course of the trial.