Effect of Watermelon Consumption on Cardiometabolic Health and Whole-Body Antioxidant Capacity
University of California, Los Angeles
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether consumption of 355 ml of watermelon juice will: 1. improve cardiovascular and overall metabolic health markers like blood pressure, heart rate, stiffness/flexibility of arteries (blood vessels), blood sugar, cholesterol), and gut hormones 2. contribute to the body's ability to protect itself from the potential cell damage caused by harmful chemical compounds (produced when skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) B light, for example). This will be evaluated by measuring how resistant skin is to the damage from UVB light exposure, as well as several markers of bodily stress blood and urine. This will be determined immediately after consuming the juice (to evaluate the effects the juice has on health right away), as well as after 4 weeks of daily juice consumption (to evaluate the effects the juice has on health when consumed consistently over time).
Description
Both hypertension and oxidative stress are among the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). While CVD is a multifactorial disease, it has been established that diet plays an integral role in its pathogenesis. In fact, it has been previously demonstrated that almond and pomegranate consumption may be able to strengthen the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms and aid in improving several cardiometabolic health biomarkers. Watermelon, being rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds (e.g., L-citrulline, lycopene, beta-carotene) may also have similar health effects.…
Eligibility
- Age range
- Not specified
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Female * Generally healthy * Postmenopausal * BMI 25-40 kg/m2 * Systolic blood pressure 120-139 mmHg and/or diastolic 80-89 mmHg * Fitzpatrick Skin type II-IV * Consume a typical Western diet (low in polyphenol/lycopene-rich foods and fiber) * Willing to maintain habitual dietary and exercise patterns for the study duration * Willing to maintain normal skin care products and pattern for the duration of the study * Willing to come to Baseline Visit B and Week 4 study visits without any makeup and skin products on * Subjects must read and sign the Institutional Review Boar…
Interventions
- OtherWatermelon Juice + liquid meal test at baseline
WMJ will be purchased from a commercially available brand. The liquid meal test will be in the form of the Boost nutritional drink (8 fl.oz., vanilla flavor), which is commercially available.
- OtherSweetened placebo beverage +liquid meal test at baseline
The placebo beverage made of water and sugar will match the sugar content provided in 355 ml of WMJ (approximately 10-20 g). The liquid meal test will be in the form of the Boost nutritional drink (8 fl.oz., vanilla flavor), which is commercially available.
Location
- UCLA Center for Human NutritionLos Angeles, California