ABSTRACT
Relatively new findings confirmed that obesity is independently associated with oxidative stress. So the aim of this work was to determine the beneficial effects of a designed soup containing certain dried vegetables rich in antioxidants, mainly beet root and others, in addition to a balanced low caloric diet in the management of simple obesity and its potential complications. The effect of this soup as a protective antioxidant was evaluated. Chemical analysis of the mixture was done for determination of the macronutrients, important micronutrients and total phenolic compounds. Sixteen obese female volunteers aged 20-50 years were recruited, eight patients were instructed to prepare and consume beet-root soup [30 g dried vegetable/day] plus hypocaloric diet [900-1000 Kcal], while the rest followed the diet only and served as controls. Relevant anthropometric measurement s and selected biochemical parameters were done at the start and then after two and four weeks. The results showed that both regime ns decreased body weight but the group who used the beet root soup lost more body fat [BFM] while more fat free mass [FFM] was preserved -9.66, + 1.09, respectively. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased more among soup consumers. The final results of the serum lipids measured as total cholesterol [TC], low density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C], high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL- C] and triglycerides [TG], all showed a good improvement in both groups except serum TG which was slightly increased among the control group. The anti oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the soup were quite apparent in the increased level of both the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GPX], and in the decreased level of C-reactive protein [CRP] among the first group, and a sustained significant positive correlation between CRP and both BFM and abdominal I circumference [P<0.05- 0.01]. The soup maintained the minerals levels in the normal range especially that of the calcium. In conclusion, this natural soup proved to be effective in the management of obesity and hence avoid or postpone its complications. This soup could be consumed for long periods of time in an interrupted fashion