Daily Fresh Watermelon Intake for 6 Weeks to Improve Gut and Heart Health in Young Adults with Overweight or Obesity

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effect of daily fresh watermelon consumption over six weeks on gut health and cardiometabolic measures in young adults who are overweight or have obesity. It focuses on whether eating fresh watermelon can improve intestinal barrier health, increase beneficial gut bacteria diversity, and positively affect body composition, blood pressure, blood vessel function, blood lipid levels, and inflammation compared to a control snack. Participants will be randomly assigned to either consume about 2.5 cups of fresh watermelon daily or an isocaloric control snack consisting of a Belvita breakfast sandwich plus 12 ounces of water, both for six weeks. Both groups maintain their normal diet alongside these supplements. The study includes multiple visits for assessments during and after the intervention period. Participants will undergo evaluations at baseline, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 16 weeks, including tests of gut and oral microbiome diversity, gut transit time, arterial stiffness, endothelial function, blood pressure, body measurements, body composition, dietary intake, and various blood biomarkers related to inflammation, appetite, intestinal barrier function, and cardiometabolic health. The study monitors changes over time to understand the impact of watermelon consumption on these health aspects.

Effect of Watermelon on Gut and Cardiometabolic Health