Watermelon Supplementation to Improve Systemic Atherosclerotic Risk Factor Biomarkers in Overweight Post-Menopausal Women in a Community Setting

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which six select markers of atherosclerotic risk were affected by a six-week watermelon consumption intervention in overweight post-menopausal women in a community setting. Forty five subjects completed the pre- and post- study visit after an overnight fast. Height, weight, percentage of body fat, and a blood sample were taken during both visits. During the pre-study visit, the subjects were randomly assigned to either the control (no intervention) group or the watermelon treatment group. The watermelon group consumed 710 mL of watermelon puree per day for the six-week period. The plasma concentration of sVCAM-1, ADAMTS 13, GDF-15, sICAM-1, and sP-selectin were measured pre- and post-treatment period. There was a significant 8.4% increase in the plasma concentration of L-arginine that occurred in the watermelon group between the pre- and post-treatment period. Also, there was a significant decrease in plasma VCAM-1 concentrations that occurred in the watermelon group between the pre- and post-treatment. The six-week watermelon supplementation treatment resulted in a small but significant increase in VCAM-1, but no changes in the other atherosclerotic biomarkers measured.