Watermelon Juice for Satiety

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: San Diego State University

Disqualifiers: Smoker, Pregnant, Metabolic disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

80 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The objective of the proposed research is to determine the effects of watermelon (fruit and rind blenderized) on satiety, metabolic markers, bowel habits, microbiome and weight management in children and adults

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

Yes, if you require medication for metabolic disorders, you cannot participate in the trial.

What data supports the idea that Watermelon Juice for Satiety is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that consuming fresh watermelon can help people feel fuller and reduce their desire to eat more compared to eating low-fat cookies. In a study with overweight and obese adults, those who ate watermelon daily for four weeks felt less hungry and more satisfied. They also lost weight, had a lower body mass index (BMI), and reduced blood pressure compared to those who ate cookies. This suggests that watermelon is effective in helping manage hunger and improve some health factors related to being overweight. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for watermelon juice as a treatment for satiety?

The available safety data for watermelon consumption, including juice, suggests it is generally safe and beneficial. Studies have shown that watermelon consumption can lead to reductions in body weight, BMI, and blood pressure, and improve factors associated with overweight and obesity. It also decreases cardiovascular risk factors like systolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels. However, it may increase fasting blood sugar. Overall, watermelon is associated with increased nutrient intake and higher diet quality, with no significant adverse effects reported in the studies reviewed. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Is watermelon consumption a promising treatment for feeling full and managing weight?

Yes, watermelon consumption is a promising treatment for feeling full and managing weight. A study showed that eating watermelon made people feel fuller compared to eating cookies. It also helped reduce body weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure, which are important for managing weight and health. ^{1 2 3 8 9}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for generally healthy children and adults who are not pregnant, do not smoke, aren't on any medications for metabolic disorders, don't need dietary supplements regularly, and have no allergies to watermelon.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants should be in good overall health.

Exclusion Criteria

You have to take a specific dietary supplement.

I am on medication for a metabolic disorder.

You are currently pregnant.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume 8 fl oz of either red juice or watermelon juice daily

8 weeks

Daily consumption

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in metabolic markers and microbiome diversity

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Watermelon Consumption

Trial Overview The study aims to see if drinking watermelon juice (including the fruit and rind) can affect how full people feel, their metabolism, bowel habits, gut bacteria diversity, and weight management.

Participant Groups

Group I: Watermelon juice Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects consume 8 fl oz of watermelon juice daily for 8 weeks

Group II: Red juice Active Control 1 Intervention

Subjects consume 8 fl oz of red juice daily for 8 weeks

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

San Diego State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

182

Recruited

119,000+

Findings from Research

In a study involving 33 overweight or obese adults, consuming 2 cups of watermelon daily for 4 weeks led to significant reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and systolic blood pressure compared to isocaloric low-fat cookies.

Watermelon consumption also resulted in greater feelings of fullness and lower hunger levels, while improving total antioxidant capacity and reducing oxidative stress, suggesting it may be beneficial for weight management and metabolic health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute Satiety Response and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults. Lum, T., Connolly, M., Marx, A., et al.[2023]

Consuming whole apples significantly reduces energy intake at subsequent meals by 15% compared to no preload and is more effective than applesauce or apple juice, indicating that solid fruit enhances satiety more than processed forms.

The study involved 58 adults over 5 weeks, showing that whole fruit leads to greater fullness ratings than applesauce or juice, and adding fiber to juice does not improve satiety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of fruit in different forms on energy intake and satiety at a meal. Flood-Obbagy, JE., Rolls, BJ.[2021]

Adding 5.5 g of orange pomace fibre (OPF) to orange juice significantly increased feelings of fullness, making it as satiating as consuming a whole orange, based on a study involving randomized, controlled trials with multiple intervention groups.

The study also found that a lower dose of OPF (2.5 g) had some effect on reducing the desire to eat compared to a control beverage, but a higher dose (5.5 g) was more effective, indicating a dose-dependent relationship in the satiating effects of dietary fibre.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Orange pomace fibre increases a composite scoring of subjective ratings of hunger and fullness in healthy adults. Dong, H., Sargent, LJ., Chatzidiakou, Y., et al.[2018]

A single dose of 100% pasteurized watermelon juice significantly increased circulating lycopene levels by three-fold in postmenopausal women, indicating its effectiveness as a dietary source of this antioxidant.

This study suggests that watermelon juice could be a palatable and beneficial option for older adults to enhance their lycopene intake, which is important for combating oxidative stress associated with aging.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Watermelon Juice: a Novel Functional Food to Increase Circulating Lycopene in Older Adult Women. Ellis, AC., Dudenbostel, T., Crowe-White, K.[2020]

Enhanced satiety from certain foods can provide indirect benefits for dietary control and weight management, such as improved appetite control and reduced mood disturbances related to hunger.

While there is strong evidence for short-term benefits of enhanced satiety, the long-term effects on weight loss and hunger management are less certain, indicating that food-based satiety strategies may be more subtle compared to pharmaceutical appetite suppressants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Potential benefits of satiety to the consumer: scientific considerations. Hetherington, MM., Cunningham, K., Dye, L., et al.[2013]

Watermelon supplementation significantly reduced systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels in a meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials involving various participants.

While watermelon showed promising antihypertensive effects, it also led to an increase in fasting blood sugar, and the results for other cardiovascular risk factors were inconclusive, highlighting the need for further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Watermelon consumption decreases risk factors of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Karimi, E., Abaj, F., Gholizadeh, M., et al.[2023]

In a large study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) involving children and adults, watermelon consumers showed significantly higher diet quality and nutrient intake compared to non-consumers.

Watermelon intake was associated with over 5% higher consumption of beneficial nutrients like dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin A, while also leading to lower intake of added sugars and saturated fats, suggesting it can positively impact overall health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Watermelon Intake Is Associated with Increased Nutrient Intake and Higher Diet Quality in Adults and Children, NHANES 2003-2018. Fulgoni, K., Fulgoni, VL.[2022]

Fresh watermelon juice (FWJ) is safe to drink for up to 12 hours at 4°C, 4 hours at 25°C, and only 4 hours at 37°C, highlighting the importance of proper storage to ensure microbial safety.

For optimal nutritional and sensory quality, FWJ should be consumed within 2 hours at 4°C or 25°C, and it remains acceptable for up to 4 hours, indicating that freshness is key for maintaining its quality.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is overnight fresh juice drinkable? The shelf life prediction of non-industrial fresh watermelon juice based on the nutritional quality, microbial safety quality, and sensory quality. Ma, T., Wang, J., Wang, H., et al.[2022]

Watermelon juice (Citrullus lanatus) demonstrated significant antidiabetic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, reducing fasting blood glucose levels and improving serum lipid profiles, which suggests its potential as a natural treatment for diabetes.

The juice exhibited antioxidant properties and inhibited key enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) involved in carbohydrate metabolism, while also enhancing glucose transporter levels and anti-inflammatory activities, indicating multiple mechanisms of action in managing diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antidiabetic activity of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Ajiboye, BO., Shonibare, MT., Oyinloye, BE.[2022]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute Satiety Response and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of fruit in different forms on energy intake and satiety at a meal. [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Orange pomace fibre increases a composite scoring of subjective ratings of hunger and fullness in healthy adults. [2018]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Watermelon Juice: a Novel Functional Food to Increase Circulating Lycopene in Older Adult Women. [2020]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Potential benefits of satiety to the consumer: scientific considerations. [2013]

6. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Watermelon consumption decreases risk factors of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2023]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Watermelon Intake Is Associated with Increased Nutrient Intake and Higher Diet Quality in Adults and Children, NHANES 2003-2018. [2022]

8. Sweden pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is overnight fresh juice drinkable? The shelf life prediction of non-industrial fresh watermelon juice based on the nutritional quality, microbial safety quality, and sensory quality. [2022]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antidiabetic activity of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. [2022]