Watermelon for Metabolic Syndrome
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial examines how drinking watermelon juice might benefit metabolic health and protect skin from UV damage. Researchers aim to determine if this juice can improve blood pressure, heart health, and the body's ability to combat UV damage. Participants will drink watermelon juice daily and have health markers checked immediately after consumption and again after four weeks. Postmenopausal women who are generally healthy and meet specific blood pressure criteria may be suitable for this study. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research on natural health solutions.
Do I need to stop taking my current medications for the trial?
You may need to stop taking certain medications or supplements that affect metabolism or gut health, like antibiotics or probiotics, for the study duration. If you're on skin-related prescription medications or steroids, you should not have started them within 30 days before the study. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the study team.
Is there any evidence suggesting that watermelon juice is safe for consumption?
Research shows that watermelon juice is generally safe for people. Studies have found that drinking it can improve heart health and metabolism without causing major side effects. For example, one study found that watermelon juice helped stabilize heart rate, benefiting heart health. Another study found that consuming whole watermelon, including the juice, improved health markers like body fat and blood sugar levels.
These findings suggest that watermelon juice is well-tolerated and may benefit overall health. No major negative effects have been reported in these studies, indicating it is a safe choice for many people.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Unlike the standard treatments for metabolic syndrome, which often include medications like metformin or lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, watermelon juice introduces a natural and tasty alternative. Researchers are excited because watermelon juice is packed with citrulline, an amino acid that may improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure, offering potential cardiovascular benefits. Additionally, the treatment is evaluated both for its immediate and long-term effects, which could quickly show results and sustain them over time. This makes watermelon juice a promising and refreshing option for managing metabolic syndrome.
What evidence suggests that watermelon juice might be an effective treatment for metabolic syndrome?
Research has shown that drinking watermelon juice benefits heart and metabolic health. Studies have found that it can increase nitric oxide (NO) levels, improving blood vessel function and potentially lowering blood pressure. Other research suggests that watermelon can enhance sugar processing, which might help control blood sugar levels. Additionally, watermelon juice has been linked to reducing heart disease risk factors, such as body fat and blood sugar levels. One study found that watermelon juice can help prevent a rise in blood pressure after exercise. Overall, early evidence suggests watermelon juice could benefit heart and metabolic health. Participants in this trial will consume watermelon juice to evaluate its acute and chronic effects on metabolic syndrome.23567
Who Is on the Research Team?
Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of California, Los Angeles
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals with metabolic syndrome and concerns about oxidative stress. Participants should be interested in how watermelon juice affects their heart health, blood sugar, cholesterol, and body's defense against cell damage from UV light. Details on specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are not provided.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Standardization
Participants undergo a 2-week standardization phase to control dietary intake before the intervention
Intervention
Participants consume 355 ml of watermelon juice daily to evaluate acute and chronic effects on cardiometabolic health and antioxidant capacity
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Watermelon Juice
Trial Overview
The study tests if drinking 355 ml of watermelon juice can improve cardiovascular and metabolic health markers immediately and after consistent daily consumption for four weeks. It compares these effects to a sweetened placebo beverage alongside a liquid meal test.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Acute (postprandial) as well as chronic (4 weeks) effects of WMJ consumption will be evaluated. To evaluate acute effects participants will consume a liquid meal test together with WMJ at the beginning of the intervention phase. In addition, the same liquid meal test will be consumed with only WMJ at the end of the intervention phase to assess whether drinking the juice for 4 weeks prior had any effects on postprandial responses.
Participants will consume placebo beverage + liquid meal test at baseline. They will then consume watermelon juice daily for 4 weeks. Watermelon juice + liquid meal test will be consumed at endpoint.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
National Watermelon Promotion Board
Collaborator
Citations
The Effect of Watermelon Juice Supplementation on Heart ...
Watermelon consumption can improve NO bioavailability. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial to test the ...
Effect of Watermelon on Cardiometabolic Health
The purpose of this study is to determine whether consumption of 355 ml of watermelon juice will: improve cardiovascular and overall metabolic health ...
Intake of Watermelon or Its Byproducts Alters Glucose ...
Glucose metabolism improved in all watermelon-supplemented treatment groups compared with the HF-fed control group, with fasting blood glucose concentrations ...
Blenderized watermelon consumption decreases body ...
Conclusions. The results support that BWM consumption improved some cardiometabolic risk factors including BMI, BMIP, body fat, and HbA1c.
Effect of acute watermelon juice supplementation on post ...
These results support the ability of watermelon juice to prevent a post-exercise increase in BP in healthy non-athletic females. Additional ...
Supplemental Watermelon Juice Attenuates Acute ...
Citrulline and citrulline-rich watermelon juice can increase the circulating arginine pool and increase the activation of NO synthase to a greater degree than ...
The Effect of Watermelon Juice Supplementation on Heart ...
We report that WMJ supplementation attenuates OGC-induced reductions in HRV. Future work should emphasize the importance of NO bioavailability ...
Unbiased Results
We believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your Data
We only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials Only
All of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.