Actively Recruiting
Effect of Daily Fresh Watermelon Consumption on Gut and Cardiometabolic Health in Young Adults With Overweight and Obesity
Led by Florida State University · Updated on 2026-04-09
36
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
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.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effect of Watermelon on Gut and Cardiometabolic Health
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Between 18 and 30 years old
- Ability to speak and read in English
- Overweight or Obese Class 1 and 2 (BMI 65 25 - 39.9 kg/m2)
You will not qualify if you...
- 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), neurological (multiple sclerosis, meningitis, recent stroke) or endocrine disorders (uncontrolled thyroid disorders, growth hormone disorders, adrenal gland disorders, uncontrolled diabetes - A1C greater than 9%)
- Food allergy to study foods
- Any allergy to melon
- Any allergy to the isocaloric snack (gluten)
- Regular consumption of watermelon greater than 2 servings / week
- Current heavy alcohol use (65 15 drinks / week for men, 65 8 drinks / week for women)
- Class 3 Obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2)
- Current user of Citrulline, Arginine, Nitric Oxide or other supplements known to affect nitric oxide synthesis (beet root juice or any beet supplement, Pycnogenol / Pine bark extract)
- Known to be currently pregnant (self-disclosed)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit
Duration - 6 weeks per condition
Participants follow two diet conditions in a crossover design: one with daily fresh watermelon consumption and one with an isocaloric control snack, each lasting six weeks.
3 visits during each treatment period (at baseline, week 6, and week 10)
Duration - 6 weeks
Participants are monitored for changes in gut and cardiometabolic health after completing both diet conditions.
1 visit at week 16
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Florida State University - Gut Biome Lab
Tallahassee, Florida, United States, 32306
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
R
Ravinder Nagpal, PhD
C
Cole Patoine, M.S
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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