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Watermelon for Gut and Cardiometabolic Health in Overweight and Obese Young Adults

This study is looking at how eating fresh watermelon daily affects gut health and other health measures in young adults who are overweight or obese. Researchers want to see if eating 2.5 cups of fresh watermelon daily for six weeks can improve the diversity of your gut microbiome (the good bacteria in your intestines) and strengthen your gut barrier. They will compare this to a control group who eats a Belvita Breakfast Sandwich and drinks water. The study also aims to see if watermelon improves body composition, blood pressure, and inflammation. You may be able to join if you are between 18 and 30 years old, speak English, and have a BMI between 25 and 39.9 kg/m2. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design
This is an interventional study with 36 planned participants. It compares daily fresh watermelon consumption to a low-fat snack (Belvita Breakfast Sandwich + 12 oz Water).
What's involved
Participants will consume either watermelon or a control snack daily for six weeks. Gut microbiome and oral microbiome diversity will be measured at baseline, week 6, week 10, and week 16.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 16 weeks after the study begins, with measurements taken at baseline, week 6, week 10, and week 16.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06588218

Effect of Watermelon on Gut and Cardiometabolic Health

Recruiting
NAAges 18–30InterventionalBasic science
Florida State University
~36 participants
Updated 2026-04-09 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:WatermelonBelvita Breakfast Sandwich + 12 oz Water

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Gut Microbiome Diversity
Measured over Baseline (day 0), Visit 2 (week 6), Visit 3 (week 10), Visit 4 (week 16).
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Obesity and Overweight
Dysbiosis

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ObesityOverweight

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Florida1

Study leadership

  • Ravinder Nagpal, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Florida State University

Who to contact

Ravinder Nagpal, PhD
[email protected]
850-644-1829
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Between 18 and 30 years old
Ability to speak and read in English
Overweight or Obese Class 1 and 2 (BMI ≥ 25 - 39.9 kg/m2)

Exclusion

Intake of antibiotics in the last 3 months
Intake of pre/pro/postbiotics in the last 3 months
Current or past (within the last 6 months) user of tobacco, marijuana, or E-cigarette products
Cardiovascular disease (will not exclude for hypertension), gastrointestinal disease (ulcerative colitis, celiac, Crohn's disease, diverticulosis, peptic ulcers, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, short bowel syndrome), neurological (multiple sclerosis, meningitis, recent stroke) or endocrine disorders (uncontrolled thyroid disorders, growth hormone disorders, adrenal gland disorders, uncontrolled diabetes - A1C greater than 9%).
Food allergy to study foods
Any allergy to melon
Any allergy to the isocaloric snack (gluten)
Regular consumption of watermelon greater than 2 servings / week
Current heavy alcohol use (≥ 15 drinks / week for men, ≥ 8 drinks / week for women
Class 3 Obesity (BMI \> 40 kg/m2)
Current user of Citrulline, Arginine, Nitric Oxide or other supplements known to affect nitric oxide synthesis (beet root juice or any beet supplement, Pycnogenol / Pine bark extract)
Known to be currently pregnant (self-disclosed)

What this trial measures

  • Change in Gut Microbiome DiversityBaseline (day 0), Visit 2 (week 6), Visit 3 (week 10), Visit 4 (week 16).

    Collected fecal samples will be used to determine microbiome profiles, including diversity and composition of bacteria.

  • Change in Oral Microbiome DiversityBaseline (day 0), Visit 2 (week 6), Visit 3 (week 10), Visit 4 (week 16).

    Oral swab samples are collected to determine oral diversity and composition of bacteria in the mouth before and after intervention.