Watermelon and Beetroot Products on Endothelial Function

Inclusion criteria

for healthy young participants:

• Age between 18-35 years;
• Triglycerides ≤ 150 mg/dL
• HDL-cholesterol ≥ 50 mg/dL for women and ≥ 40 mg/dL for men;
• Waist circumference ≤ 102 cm for men and ≤ 88 cm for women).

Inclusion criteria

for older people with cardiovascular risk:

• Age ≥ 60 years;
• Elevated triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL;
• Reduced HDL-cholesterol ≤ 50 mg/dL for women and ≤ 40 mg/dL for men;
• Elevated waist circumference ≥102 cm for men and ≥ 88 cm for women).

Exclusion criteria

• Elevated fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dL);
• Smoking;
• Beetroot or watermelon allergy;
• Unwillingness to avoid beetroot or watermelon products during the entire study;
• Other chronic diseases (diabetes, liver disease, etc.) or acutely ill