Watermelon Seed Extract

This meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effects of watermelon supplementation on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk factors in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The comprehensive search was done in Cochrane Library databases, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus up to March 2022. A random-effect model was used for computing weighted mean differences (WMD). Standard methods were applied to examine publication bias, sensitivity analysis, and heterogeneity. Of the 8962 identified studies, 9 RCTs were included in the final analysis. Watermelon consumption significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP), totalcholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In addition, watermelon consumption led to a significant increase in fasting blood sugar (FBS). However, there was not any significant difference in other outcomes of interest including diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), BMI, body fat, and serum levels of arginine, insulin, and CRP after watermelon supplementation. The current findings provide promising evidence of the antihypertensive effect of watermelon. However, due to the lack of evidence in human research, the result regarding the remaining outcomes needs to be used with caution. Furter RCTs with longer follow-ups and larger sample sizes should be done to confirm the current findings.

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) affects about 2% of pregnancies and is at the severe end of the spectrum of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. HG causes severe maternal distress and results in adverse pregnancy outcomes long after the condition may have dissipated. Although dietary advice is a common tool in management, trial evidence to base the advice on is lacking.

A randomized trial was conducted in a university hospital from May 2019 to December 2020. 128 women at their discharge following hospitalization for HG were randomized: 64 to watermelon and 64 to control arm. Women were randomized to consume watermelon and to heed the advice leaflet or to heed the dietary advice leaflet alone. A personal weighing scale and a weighing protocol were provided to all participants to take home. Primary outcomes were bodyweight change at the end of week 1 and week 2 compared to hospital discharge.

Weight change (kg) at end of week 1, median[interquartile range] -0.05[-0.775 to + 0.50] vs. -0.5[-1.4 to + 0.1] P = 0.014 and to the end of week 2, + 0.25[-0.65 to + 0.975] vs. -0.5[-1.3 to + 0.2] P = 0.001 for watermelon and control arms respectively. After two weeks, HG symptoms assessed by PUQE-24 (Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea over 24 h), appetite assessed by SNAQ (Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire), wellbeing and satisfaction with allocated intervention NRS (0-10 numerical rating scale) scores, and recommendation of allocated intervention to a friend rate were all significantly better in the watermelon arm. However, rehospitalization for HG and antiemetic usage were not significantly different.

Adding watermelon to the diet after hospital discharge for HG improves bodyweight, HG symptoms, appetite, wellbeing and satisfaction.

This study was registered with the center's Medical Ethics Committee (on 21/05/2019; reference number 2019327-7262) and the ISRCTN on 24/05/2019 with trial identification number: ISRCTN96125404 . First participant was recruited on 31/05/ 2019.