Watermelon Juice and Cardiometabolic Health in Postmenopausal Women
Official title: Effect of Watermelon Consumption on Cardiometabolic Health and Whole-Body Antioxidant Capacity
Run by University of California, Los Angeles · NCT07006636 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether drinking 355 ml of watermelon juice can improve heart and metabolic health markers and boost skin’s resistance to UV damage in postmenopausal women with overweight BMI.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 22 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, Los Angeles Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 31, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07006636 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Postmenopausal women, generally healthy, with BMI 25-40, prehypertension range, and skin types II–IV who are willing to consume watermelon juice daily for 4 weeks.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals outside the BMI or blood pressure range, those with watermelon allergy, or non-English speakers may not benefit or qualify.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will evaluate acute (post-meal) and 4-week daily consumption effects of watermelon juice on cardiometabolic risk factors such as blood pressure, heart rate, arterial stiffness, glucose, cholesterol and gut hormones, as well as body antioxidant defense and UV-induced skin damage markers. The study uses a baseline meal test with watermelon juice or a sweetened placebo plus a liquid meal, followed by a 4-week daily juice period. Eligible participants are generally healthy, postmenopausal women aged with BMI 25-40 kg/m2 and pre-hypertensive blood pressure, across skin types II–IV. Outcomes include postprandial and chronic changes in cardiometabolic biomarkers and systemic stress markers measured in blood and urine. Conducted at UCLA with collaboration from the National Watermelon Promotion Board, the trial aims to explore the potential cardiometabolic and antioxidant benefits of watermelon consumption.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience improvements in cardiometabolic markers and enhanced antioxidant protection from UV-related stress.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests watermelon components can influence blood pressure and lipid biomarkers, but postprandial and whole-body antioxidant outcomes with daily juice have been less explored.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female * Generally healthy * Postmenopausal * BMI 25-40 kg/m2 * Systolic blood pressure 120-139 mmHg and/or diastolic 80-89 mmHg * Fitzpatrick Skin type II-IV * Consume a typical Western diet (low in polyphenol/lycopene-rich foods and fiber) * Willing to maintain habitual dietary and exercise patterns for the study duration * Willing to maintain normal skin care products and pattern for the duration of the study * Willing to come to Baseline Visit B and Week 4 study visits without any makeup and skin products on * Subjects must read and sign the Institutional Review Board-approved written informed consent prior to the initiation of any study specific procedures or enrollment. A subject will be excluded for any condition that might compromise the ability to give truly informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Non-English speaker * Vegetarian/vegan * Known watermelon allergy * Skin-related prescription medication, supplements, or non-prescription cosmeceutical agents * Initiation of topical or oral prescription steroids and/or anti-inflammatory medications within 30 days prior to study enrollment * Excessive exposure to either natural or artificial sunlight. Exposure to sunlight will be evaluated using Fitzpatrick Skin Type test score. Individuals receiving scores higher than the upper cutoff of the proposed range for the specific skin type will be excluded * Screening laboratory values outside of the normal range that is considered clinically significant for study participation by the investigator * Documented chronic disease, including diabetes, renal or liver diseases, metabolic syndrome, active cancer, MI or stroke, history of gastric bypass or GI disease (e.g., Crohn's disease, IBD, diverticulosis, diverticulitis, etc.) * Taking medications or supplements known to affect metabolism or gut microbiota composition (antibiotics within the past 3 months, probiotics, fiber, etc.), unless willing to stop for the study duration * Taking exogenous hormones (e.g., hormone replacement therapy) * Recent weight fluctuations (\>10% in the last 6 months) * Smoker or living with a smoker * Use of \>20 g of alcohol per day * Unable or unwilling to comply with the study protocol (including unwillingness to avoid watermelon and other lycopene-rich foods for the whole duration of the study) * Unable to provide consent
Where it's running
-
UCLA Center for Human Nutrition
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD — University of California, Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Tatiana Diacova, PhD, MS, RDN
- Email: tdiacova@mednet.ucla.edu
- Phone: 3102068292
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in children with obesity and autism
This study tests whether cardiorespiratory fitness and handgrip strength differ between children with obesity who have autism and those who do not, and how these fitness measures relate to body size, composition, and cardiometabolic health.
-
Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy vs Structured Lifestyle on Weight and Health
This study tests whether starting a GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss works differently from a structured diet-and-exercise program in improving heart and metabolic health for adults with overweight or obesity.
-
Pulse-focused nutrition for school-age children
This 6-week program tests whether a pulse-based diet (1.5 cups per week) improves gut health and metabolic markers in kids aged 6–13 who receive either pulses with education or pulses plus education and procurement support.
-
Almonds, Gut Microbiome, and Kids
This 8-week study tests whether a daily almond butter snack can favorably impact gut bacteria and metabolic health in children aged 6–13 compared with a chocolate spread control.
-
How recreation influences choices that affect heart and metabolic health
This project will test whether increasing access to enjoyable recreational activities helps adults at risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes make healthier daily choices.
-
How diet relates to cardiometabolic health in Rosario
This project will see how vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous diets relate to heart and metabolic health in adults living in Rosario.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.