The Impact of Watermelon Juice on Blood Pressure

Healthy Aging Clinical Trial

Official title:

The Impact of Watermelon Juice on Blood Pressure in Young Healthy Adults

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Active, not recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT04328311
• Other study ID #: 34/19
• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: January 8, 2020
• Est. completion date: December 30, 2022

Study information

• Verified date: November 2022
• Source: University of Reading
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

L-citrulline is found naturally in watermelon. Recently interest has increased for this amino acid due to potential health benefits. Notably, L-citrulline has the potential to lead to dilation of blood vessels due to its involvement in the production of nitric oxide.

The study will be an acute single blind, randomised controlled, crossover intervention study in healthy, young volunteers. Participants receive either the test watermelon drink or control drink (water). Blood samples and vascular measures (by a single-cuff based method) will be measured at baseline. Vascular measures will be repeated at 15-minute intervals between 0-2 hours and a second blood sample will be drawn at 1.5 hours to coincide with the estimated peak plasma L-citrulline. Citrulline, arginine and nitric oxide metabolites will be measured in the blood samples.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Enrollment: 10
• Est. completion date: December 30, 2022
• Est. primary completion date: December 30, 2022
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 30 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and females

• 18-30 years

• Healthy (as per exclusion criteria)

• Able to understand information sheet

• Willing to comply with the study protocol

• Able to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical history of myocardial infarction

• Medical history of angina

• Medical history of thrombosis

• Medical history of stroke

• Medical history of cancer

• Medical history of high cholesterol

• Medical history of liver diseases

• Medical history of renal diseases

• Medical history of respiratory diseases

• Medical history of bowel diseases

• Medical history of diabetes

• Medical history of other endocrine disorders

• BMI <18.5 kg/m2 or >25 kg/m2

• Blood pressure <90/60 or > 140/90 mmHg

• Current use of antihypertensive medication

• Pregnant or lactating

• Alcohol intake > 14 units/week

• Cigarette smoker (or quit within the last 6 months)

• Vigorous exercise > 3 times/ week

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Healthy Aging

Intervention

Other:
• Watermelon Juice
500 mL watermelon juice (What a Melon), containing ~1 g of L-citrulline.
• Water
500 mL low nitrate water

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United Kingdom	University of Reading	Reading	UK

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Reading

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United Kingdom, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change in blood pressure	Blood pressure by automated device	At baseline (t= 0 hours) and 15 minute intervals until t= 2 hours.
Secondary	Change in NOx (nitric oxide metabolites)	Plasma nitrate and nitrite concentration	At baseline (t= 0 hours) and t=1.5 hours.
Secondary	Change in l-arginine	L-arginine concentration	At baseline (t= 0 hours) and t=1.5 hours.
Secondary	Change in l-citrulline	L-citrulline concentration	At baseline (t= 0 hours) and t=1.5 hours.