Watermelon for Obesity

Overseen By Ravinder Nagpal, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Florida State University

Must not be taking: Antibiotics, Prebiotics, Probiotics, Postbiotics

Disqualifiers: Tobacco, Marijuana, Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 6 weeks

36 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether eating fresh watermelon daily for six weeks can improve gut health and other wellness measures in young adults who are overweight or have obesity. Researchers aim to determine if watermelon can boost good bacteria in the gut and improve factors like blood pressure and inflammation, compared to a low-fat snack. Suitable participants are young adults with a BMI of 25 to 39.9, indicating they are in the overweight or obese category, and who have not recently taken antibiotics or have allergies to watermelon. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding the potential health benefits of watermelon.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are taking antibiotics, pre/pro/postbiotics, or certain supplements like Citrulline or Arginine, you may not be eligible to participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that consuming watermelon daily is safe for young adults with overweight and obesity?

Research has shown that eating watermelon might benefit people who are overweight or obese. One study found that daily consumption of watermelon can help reduce body weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. Another study suggested that watermelon might help stabilize blood sugar levels and increase feelings of fullness after eating.

Regarding safety, watermelon is generally safe to eat. Studies have not identified any major side effects from its consumption. As a common fruit, most people can eat it without issues. In these studies, no serious health problems were reported, suggesting that watermelon could be a safe choice for those considering joining this trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using watermelon for obesity because it offers a natural, food-based approach to weight management. Unlike standard treatments, which often involve medications or intensive lifestyle changes, watermelon provides beneficial nutrients like lycopene and vitamin C while being low in calories and fat. This makes it an appealing option for those looking to incorporate healthier eating habits without the need for complex interventions or synthetic drugs. Additionally, its high water content may contribute to a feeling of fullness, potentially helping to reduce overall calorie intake.

What evidence suggests that watermelon might be an effective treatment for obesity?

This trial will compare the effects of watermelon consumption with a control condition. Studies have shown that eating fresh watermelon can lower body weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. Research also suggests that watermelon helps maintain steady blood sugar levels and increases feelings of fullness, potentially aiding in weight control. Additionally, watermelon consumption has been linked to improved heart health, including reduced body fat and better blood sugar management. These findings suggest that watermelon may benefit gut health and overall well-being in individuals who are overweight or obese. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ravinder Nagpal, PhD

Principal Investigator

Florida State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults who are overweight or obese and interested in improving their gut health. Participants should be willing to eat watermelon daily for 6 weeks. Those with specific dietary restrictions, allergies to watermelon, or conditions that could interfere with the study may not qualify.

Inclusion Criteria

Ability to speak and read in English

My BMI is between 25 and 39.9, making me overweight or moderately obese.

Exclusion Criteria

Current heavy alcohol use (≥ 15 drinks / week for men, ≥ 8 drinks / week for women)

Known to be currently pregnant (self-disclosed)

Food allergy to study foods

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants consume fresh watermelon daily for 6 weeks to evaluate effects on gut and cardiometabolic health

6 weeks

3 visits (in-person) at Baseline, week 6, and week 10

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

6 weeks

1 visit (in-person) at week 16

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Watermelon

Trial Overview The study tests if eating fresh watermelon every day can boost gut health by increasing good bacteria and strengthening the intestinal barrier compared to a control group having a low-fat snack (Belvita Breakfast Sandwich + water).

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Watermelon Condition Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will maintain a normal diet supplemented with 2.5 cups (\~375 grams, 115 kcals, 0.5g fat, 1.5g fiber, 17,225mcg lycopene, 30.75mg vitamin C) of fresh watermelon daily for six weeks

Group II: Control Condition Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will maintain a normal diet supplemented with an isocaloric control snack (Belvita breakfast sandwich; 115 kcals, 1.5g fiber, 4.5g fat, 0mg lycopene, 0mg vitamin C) as well as 12 ounces of water

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Florida State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

234

Recruited

41,100+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study with Wistar rats consuming diets with 2.5% or 5% watermelon seeds for 21 days, significant kidney toxicity was observed, indicated by elevated serum urea and creatinine levels in both male and female rats.

The consumption of watermelon seeds also led to increased testes weight and sperm morphology anomalies in male rats, suggesting potential negative effects on male reproductive health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Toxicity assessment of watermelon seed supplemented diet in rats. Oyenihi, OR., Afolabi, BA., Oyenihi, AB., et al.[2022]

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 study involving 15 resistance-trained men, watermelon juice supplementation showed a significant increase in muscle oxygenation compared to a placebo, with a mean difference of +4.1%.

However, despite this increase in oxygenation, there were no significant improvements in exercise performance, muscle force production, or blood vessel diameter when compared to the placebo group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of watermelon supplementation on exercise performance, muscle oxygenation, and vessel diameter in resistance-trained men. Gonzalez, AM., Pinzone, AG., Lipes, SE., et al.[2022]

In a 10-week study with C57BL/6 J mice, consumption of watermelon flesh, rind, and skin led to significant changes in hepatic gene expression compared to a high-fat control diet, indicating potential metabolic benefits.

Specifically, watermelon flesh (WF) increased the expression of genes regulated by important nuclear hormone receptors involved in lipid and xenobiotic metabolism, suggesting that watermelon consumption may positively influence metabolic health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intake of Watermelon and Watermelon Byproducts in Male Mice Fed a Western-Style Obesogenic Diet Alters Hepatic Gene Expression Patterns, as Determined by RNA Sequencing. Egea, MB., Pierce, G., Becraft, AR., et al.[2022]

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]

In a study involving overweight and obese postmenopausal women, daily supplementation with 100% watermelon puree for 6 weeks led to a significant 6% decrease in soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, a marker associated with atherosclerosis, indicating potential cardiovascular benefits.

While watermelon supplementation improved certain markers related to cardiovascular health, it did not significantly affect insulin resistance or glycemic control, suggesting that its benefits may be specific to vascular health rather than metabolic function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daily watermelon consumption decreases plasma sVCAM-1 levels in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Shanely, RA., Zwetsloot, JJ., Jurrissen, TJ., et al.[2021]

In a pilot study involving 23 participants, an anti-inflammatory dietary intervention that included watermelon showed potential benefits for body composition, particularly for those who adopted a more anti-inflammatory diet, leading to reductions in body fat percentage and body mass index.

Despite the intervention's focus, some participants' diets became more pro-inflammatory, indicating that adherence to dietary changes is crucial for achieving the desired health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a 3-Month Anti-inflammatory Dietary Intervention Focusing on Watermelon on Body Habitus, Inflammation, and Metabolic Markers: A Pilot Study. Wirth, MD., Shivappa, N., Khan, S., et al.[2020]

The seed melon extract (SME) from Citrullus lanatus significantly reduced liver damage markers in mice with carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis, indicating its potential as a hepatoprotective agent.

SME improved antioxidant enzyme levels and reduced oxidative stress, which suggests that its protective effects on the liver may be due to enhanced antioxidant activity and reduced fibrosis-related protein expressions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protective effects of seed melon extract on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice. Zhan, YY., Wang, JH., Tian, X., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6470521/

Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute ... This study shows that reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure can be achieved through daily consumption of watermelon.

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

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

3. 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 ... Conclusion Blenderized WM shows potential for stabilizing postprandial glucose levels and enhancing satiety in overweight and obese adolescents.

4. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijpo.13038

Blenderized watermelon consumption decreases body ... The results support that BWM consumption improved some cardiometabolic risk factors including BMI, BMIP, body fat, and HbA1c.

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/6/772

Effect of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Extract on ... Overweight and obese adults who consumed two cups of watermelon daily for four weeks did not had increased blood glucose and insulin levels [8]. Diabetic mice ...

6. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/14/2913

Current Evidence of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus ... Ingestion of 2 cups of fresh diced watermelon for four weeks did not change plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) in overweight and obese adults [65]. Ellis et al. [9] ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12525780/

Dose–Response Effect of Watermelon Consumption on ... The same research group reported decreased aortic systolic and diastolic BP in obese hypertensive or pre-hypertensive adults and postmenopausal ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/331712666_Effects_of_Fresh_Watermelon_Consumption_on_the_Acute_Satiety_Response_and_Cardiometabolic_Risk_Factors_in_Overweight_and_Obese_Adults

(PDF) Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the ... Watermelon consumption significantly decreased body weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure and waist-to-hip ratio (p ≤ 0.05).