Acute Effects of Watermelon on Vascular Function and Serum Lycopene

NCT ID: NCT03608254

Last Updated: 2022-03-14

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Total Enrollment: 11 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2015-11-05
• Study Completion Date: 2016-12-08

Brief Summary

This study aimed to examine the effects of a one-time dose of 100% watermelon juice on circulating lycopene levels and measures of vascular health among a cohort of postmenopausal women.

Detailed Description

Purpose and Objectives Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are early independent predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death for women ages 60 and older in the United States. It is well-known that age-related decreases in vascular function are partially due to increases in oxidative stress and inflammation. In attempts to combat CVD, previous studies have investigated provision of isolated food compounds in supplement form. For example, purified lycopene has been shown to decrease oxidative stress, and our previous work supports the supplemental use of glutamine and arginine powders for improving vascular endothelial function of older adults. Watermelon is among the greatest plant sources of arginine and glutamine, and it is one of the richest sources of lycopene. However, clinical studies evaluating the whole food have not been done.

According to the Healthy Eating Index, only 27% of women ages 60 and older meet the daily dietary recommendations for 2.5 fruit servings. Likewise, although no Recommended Dietary Allowance for lycopene exists, this age group consumes less lycopene daily than is provided in one serving of watermelon. While reasons for poor fruit intake among older adults are multifactorial, difficulty chewing and inability to prepare fresh foods in the home environment have been noted as significant barriers to fresh fruit and vegetable intake. Of note, a previous systematic review suggests that 100% fruit and vegetable juices may be practical vehicles for improving intake of antioxidant nutrients among older adults. The provision of 100% watermelon juice to older adult women represents a practical, innovative approach to increase consumption of a food containing multiple components that may act in synergy to improve vascular function. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a one-time serving of 100% watermelon juice on blood vessel function and serum lycopene.

Specific Aims

The specific aims of this study are to:

1. To determine whether consumption of a 12-ounce serving of 100% watermelon juice by non-obese women ages 60-75 will result in increased levels of serum lycopene.

Hypotheses: Acute supplementation with 100% watermelon juice will result in increased serum lycopene.

2. To determine whether consumption of a 12-ounce serving of 100% watermelon juice by non-obese women ages 60-75 will result in improved vascular endothelial function as assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and decreased arterial stiffness as assessed by pulse wave analysis (PWA).

Hypotheses: Acute supplementation with 100% watermelon juice will result in improved vascular endothelial function and decreased arterial stiffness.

Conditions

Vascular Health of Postmenopausal Women

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: OTHER
• Study Time Perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Interventions

100% watermelon juice

Participants consumed a one-time dose of 100% watermelon juice. Blood was sampled before and 2 hours after ingestion. Blood pressure and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation were measured before and 2 hours after ingestion.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Body mass index 18.5 - 29.9 kg/m2 (non-obese)
• Ambulatory
• Postmenopausal female
• Ages 65-70 years

Exclusion Criteria

• Food allergy to watermelon
• Diagnosis of phenylketonuria
• History of hypotension, chronic uncontrolled hypertension, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, previous cardiac events or procedures,
• Smoking or other tobacco use
• Use of anticoagulant medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, vasodilatory dietary supplements (garlic, fish oil), or dietary supplements containing lycopene, ascorbic acid, L-glutamine, L-arginine, or L-citrulline
• Weight change > 10% in the previous six months

• Minimum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 70 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Amy Ellis

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Amy C Ellis, PhD, RD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Locations

University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

Countries

United States

References

Ellis AC, Dudenbostel T, Crowe-White K. Watermelon Juice: a Novel Functional Food to Increase Circulating Lycopene in Older Adult Women. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2019 Jun;74(2):200-203. doi: 10.1007/s11130-019-00719-9.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 30756297 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

15-07-95

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id