Watermelon for High Blood Pressure

(WMBP Trial)

Overseen By Chelsea Preiss, M.S.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Clinical Nutrition Research Center, Illinois Institute of Technology

Must not be taking: Cholesterol-lowering, Anticoagulants, Blood pressure-lowering, others

Disqualifiers: Smoker, Vegetarian, Cancer, Pregnant, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 4 weeks

36 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

1. Primary outcome: To evaluate the dose response effects of watermelon flesh in regulating Blood Pressure (BP) in individuals with pre-hypertension. 2. Secondary outcomes: To study the dose-response effects of watermelon flesh intake on cardio-metabolic risk factors including plasma metabolic markers, lipid profile and nitrate/nitrite levels in individuals with pre-hypertension.

Who Is on the Research Team?

Indika Edirisinghe, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Illinois Institute of Technology

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy overweight/obese adults aged 25-65 with slightly elevated blood pressure but no history of serious health issues. Participants should be nonsmokers, not on a vegetarian diet, and have stable weight without plans to lose more. They shouldn't consume certain supplements or medications that affect blood pressure or metabolism.

Inclusion Criteria

My fasting blood sugar is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, indicating prediabetes.

Your blood pressure is between 120-160 over 80-100 at the screening visit.

I have no history of major organ or metabolic diseases.

Exclusion Criteria

Your blood pressure is not well controlled and is too high.

You have given blood in the last 3 months.

You drink a lot of coffee or tea, more than 5 cups per day.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Pre-Screening

Potential subjects complete a pre-screening questionnaire to assess eligibility

Not specified

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

Not specified

1 visit (in-person)

Pre-Study Visit

Participants receive training and diet counseling, and are randomized into study groups

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants consume assigned test beverages daily for 4 weeks and attend study visits

4 weeks

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants return ABPM machines and continue consuming treatment beverages

2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Watermelon Flesh

Trial Overview The study tests how different amounts of watermelon flesh impact blood pressure in people with pre-hypertension. It also looks at the effects on heart-related risk factors like cholesterol and metabolic markers. Participants will receive one of two doses of watermelon flesh or a control treatment.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Watermelon flesh Dose 1 Active Control 1 Intervention

1 cup watermelon flesh, \~152 g

Group II: Watermelon flesh Dose 2 Active Control 1 Intervention

2 cups watermelon flesh, \~304 g

Group III: Control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Calorie-matched control beverage

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Clinical Nutrition Research Center, Illinois Institute of Technology

Lead Sponsor

Trials

55

Recruited

3,000+

National Watermelon Promotion Board

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

60+