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

Trial Summary

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.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus, for obesity?

Research shows that daily watermelon consumption can lead to weight loss, lower body mass index (BMI), and reduced blood pressure in overweight and obese adults. Additionally, watermelon consumption is associated with increased satiety (feeling full) and improved diet quality, which can help with weight management. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is watermelon safe for human consumption?

Research shows that consuming watermelon is generally safe for humans and can improve diet quality and nutrient intake. However, a study on rats suggested potential negative effects on kidneys and male reproductive health from high consumption of watermelon seeds. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

How is watermelon used as a treatment for obesity different from other treatments?

Watermelon is unique as a treatment for obesity because it is a natural food that can enhance feelings of fullness, reduce body weight, and improve blood pressure and antioxidant levels, unlike many conventional treatments that may involve medications or supplements. ^{1 2 3 7 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of daily fresh watermelon consumption for 6-weeks on gut health, including microbiome diversity, gut barrier and immune function in young adults with overweight and obesity. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Will consuming fresh watermelon daily for 6-weeks will improve intestinal barrier health and increase microbiome diversity such as an increased population of beneficial 'probiotic' bacteria when compared to control participants consuming a low-fat snack? 2. Will consuming fresh watermelon daily for six-weeks will improve other health measures, including body-composition, blood pressure, blood vessel function, blood lipid profiles, and measures of inflammation, as compared to control participants consuming a low-fat snack for the same time period?

Research Team

Ravinder Nagpal, PhD

Principal Investigator

Florida State University

Eligibility Criteria

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)

Food allergy to study foods

Known to be currently pregnant (self-disclosed)

Timeline

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

Treatment Details

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).

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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 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 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]

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]

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 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]

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]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daily watermelon consumption decreases plasma sVCAM-1 levels in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. [2021]

2. United States 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. [2022]

3. 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]

4. 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]

5. United States 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. [2020]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Toxicity assessment of watermelon seed supplemented diet in rats. [2022]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of watermelon supplementation on exercise performance, muscle oxygenation, and vessel diameter in resistance-trained men. [2022]

8. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protective effects of seed melon extract on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice. [2022]