The Effect of Oxymel Syrup on Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors in  Overweight and Obese People: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study

Marjan Mahdavi Roshan; Arsalan Salari; Sogol Emaminejad; Shirin Parvinroo; Asieh Ashouri; Iman Alizadeh

doi:10.18502/tim.v6i3.7307

Marjan Mahdavi Roshan Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Arsalan Salari Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Department of Cardiology, Heshmat Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Sogol Emaminejad Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Shirin Parvinroo Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Asieh Ashouri Health and Environment Research Center, Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Iman Alizadeh Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Department of Cardiology, Heshmat Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v6i3.7307

Keywords: Persian medicine, Overweight, Cardiovascular risk indicators, Oxymel syrup

Abstract

High blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and obesity are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. With regard to the significant role of a healthy diet in the prevention and even treatment of diseases together with the high cost and side effects of drugs, finding foods effective in the treatment of metabolic disorders has been widely considered. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oxymel – an Iranian traditional syrup with vinegar base – on cardiovascular risk indicators in obese and overweight people. Candidates were selected based on a set of inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups of control and test. The control group received 250 cc of water, while the test group received 250 cc water containing 30 cc of the oxymel for 30 days. Anthropometric and biochemical indicators were measured at the beginning and end of the study. The results showed that there were no significant changes in the body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist to hip ratio, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose level. However, weight (P = 0.053) and cholesterol (P = 0.083) decreased relatively significantly in the test group compared to the control group. This study shows that consumption of oxymel has positive cardiovascular effects such as lowering the blood cholesterol level and can contribute to weight loss; however, studies with a larger sample size are recommended.