Table 2.
Baseline characteristics in the four groups.
| Variables | BJ + MeD | MeD | BJ | Control | *p value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean ± SD/n (%) | ||||||
| Age (year) | 44.49 ± 15.73 | 47.31 ± 15.75 | 44.91 ± 15.24 | 44.04 ± 13.2 | 0.736 | |
| Gender n (%) | Male | 17 (9.4) | 23 (12.8) | 28 (15.6) | 28 (15.6) | 0.062 |
| Female | 28 (15.6) | 22 (12.2) | 17 (9.4) | 17 (9.4) | ||
| Smoker n (%) | No | 40 (22.2) | 35 (19.4) | 33 (18.3) | 28 (15.6) | 0.031 |
| Yes | 5 (2.8) | 10 (5.6) | 12 (6.7) | 17 (99.4) | ||
| Physical activity (Met h/day) | Light | 8 (4.4) | 17 (9.4) | 14 (7.8) | 15 (8.3) | 0.516 |
| Moderate | 22 (12.2) | 16 (8.9) | 16 (8.9) | 17 (9.4) | ||
| High | 15 (8.3) | 12 (6.7) | 15 (8.3) | 13 (7.2) | ||
| Living Place n (%) | Rural | 21 (11.7) | 21 (11.7) | 14 (7.8) | 22 (12.2) | 0.294 |
| Urban | 24 (13.3) | 24 (13.3) | 31 (17.2) | 23 (12.8) | ||
| BMI kg/m2 | Before | 29.96 ± 2.77 | 29.19 ± 3.94 | 28.01 ± 2.55 | 28.62 ± 3.84 | 0.042 |
| After | 27.30 ± 3.45 | 27.75 ± 3.74 | 26.46 ± 2.56 | 27.82 ± 3.36 | 0.191 | |
| **p value | <0.001 | <0.001 | <0.001 | 0.037 | ||
| Waist circumference (cm) | Before | 90.25 ± 5.74 | 91.34 ± 4.53 | 91.72 ± 6.99 | 92.33 ± 4.89 | 0.354 |
| After | 87.59 ± 5.14 | 89.91 ± 4.77 | 90.17 ± 6.69 | 91.54 ± 4.89 | 0.008 | |
| **p value | <0.001 | <0.001 | <0.001 | 0.032 | ||
Data presented as Mean ± SD/n (%), *obtained by Chi square test and **obtained by paired t-test. BJ + MeD, beetroot juice and Mediterranean diet; MeD, Mediterranean diet; BJ, beetroot juice.