Effect of Daily Fresh Watermelon Consumption on Gut and Cardiometabolic Health in Young Adults With Overweight and Obesity
Florida State University
Summary
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?
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Between 18 and 30 years old * Ability to speak and read in English * Overweight or Obese Class 1 and 2 (BMI ≥ 25 - 39.9 kg/m2) Exclusion Criteria: * Intake of antibiotics in the last 3 months * Intake of pre/pro/postbiotics in the last 3 months * Current or past (within the last 6 months) user of tobacco, marijuana, or E-cigarette products * Cardiovascular disease (will not exclude for hypertension), gastrointestinal disease (ulcerative colitis, celiac, Crohn's disease, diverticulosis, peptic ulcers, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, short bowel syndrome), neurolo…
Interventions
- OtherWatermelon
2.5 cups of whole fresh watermelon (\~375 grams, 115 kcals, 0.5g fat, 1.5g fiber, 17,225mcg lycopene, 30.75mg vitamin C) of fresh watermelon daily for six weeks
- OtherBelvita Breakfast Sandwich + 12 oz Water
Belvita breakfast sandwich; 115 kcals, 1.5g fiber, 4.5g fat, 0mg lycopene, 0mg vitamin C) as well as 12 ounces of water
Location
- Florida State University - Gut Biome LabTallahassee, Florida