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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether drinking watermelon juice can aid in feeling full, improving metabolism, bowel habits, gut health, and managing weight. Participants will drink either red juice or watermelon juice daily for eight weeks to determine which has better effects. The trial seeks individuals who are generally healthy and do not have a watermelon allergy. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding the health benefits of watermelon juice.

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.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that drinking watermelon juice is generally safe. Studies have found that blending the fruit and rind of watermelon can help maintain steady blood sugar levels after meals. It also promotes a feeling of fullness, aiding in weight management. Importantly, these studies have not reported any major harmful effects. Participants who regularly drank watermelon juice experienced benefits such as improved skin health and better control of blood sugar and insulin levels. Overall, evidence suggests that watermelon juice is safe and well-tolerated. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about watermelon juice for satiety because it's a natural, refreshing alternative to traditional appetite suppressants. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on synthetic compounds or medications to curb hunger, watermelon juice is packed with hydrating properties and nutrients that may help people feel fuller. This approach is not only more natural, but it also offers an additional benefit of hydration, making it a unique option for those looking to manage their appetite in a healthy way.

What evidence suggests that watermelon consumption might be effective for satiety?

Research shows that drinking blended watermelon juice can help people feel fuller. Studies have found that it increases satisfaction after eating. In overweight and obese teenagers, it also helps maintain steady blood sugar levels after meals. This trial will compare two treatment arms: one where participants consume watermelon juice and another where they consume red juice. One study discovered that both watermelon juice and sugar water made people feel full, but watermelon juice didn't raise blood sugar as much. These findings suggest that watermelon juice might help manage appetite and blood sugar. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589936825000015

Effects of blenderized watermelon consumption on satiety ... Participants reported increased appetite after 120 min with WM, compared to 60 min with SSB (P < 0.05). In the triangle sensory test, 70 % of participants ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9194217/

Effects of Blenderized Watermelon Consumption on Satiety ... This study suggests that blenderized watermelon juice promotessatiety and stabilizes postprandial glucose in overweight and obese adolescents.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7257671/

The Effects of Fresh Watermelon Juice Consumption ... Results. Both blenderized watermelon and sugar water significantly increased satiety (P < 0.001) but there was no difference between the two trials.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/387738697_Effects_of_Blenderized_Watermelon_Consumption_on_Satiety_and_Postprandial_Glucose_in_Overweight_and_Obese_Adolescents

Effects of Blenderized Watermelon Consumption on Satiety ... Results Blenderized WM consumption resulted in significantly lower postprandial glucose levels at 20 and 40 min (P < 0.01) compared to SSB.

5. rcastoragev2.blob.core.windows.net rcastoragev2.blob.core.windows.net/e7313001480fdd773689d5e612273b91/main.PMC11764071.pdf

Effects of blenderized watermelon consumption on ... - NET Conclusion: Blenderized WM shows potential for stabilizing postprandial glucose levels and enhancing satiety in overweight and obese adolescents ...

6. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/3/595

Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute ... Acute watermelon consumption resulted in significantly greater satiety ratings than the LFC snack.