2.1.1. Participants
weight loss
The sample size (The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) healthy male university students with no acute or chronic morbidities; (2) those not on a diet for weight loss and salt reduction; and (3) non-smokers. Male university students were considered for the study because many young people in Japan are indifferent about maintaining a healthy lifestyle [This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. Ethical considerations included explaining to the participants that their participation in the study was voluntary, that they could withdraw their consent at any time, and that written informed consent would be obtained from all participants in advance. The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of the Prefectural University of Kumamoto (approval number: 04-19).