Watermelon consumption decreases risk factors of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

2023-08
Diabetes research and clinical practice 202
- Elmira Karimi
- Faezeh Abaj
- Mohammad Gholizadeh
- Omid Asbaghi
- Mohammad Reza Amini
- Ehsan Ghaedi
- Amir Hadi

PubMed: 37369281
DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110801

Study Design

Type: Meta-Analysis
Methods: Meta-analysis of RCTs; random-effect model; search up to March 2022
Funding: Unclear

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.

Research Insights

watermelon→Improved Insulin Levels
there was not any significant difference in other outcomes of interest including ... insulin
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
watermelon→Increased Arginine Level
there was not any significant difference in other outcomes of interest including ... serum levels of arginine
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
watermelon→Increased Blood Glucose Levels
watermelon consumption led to a significant increase in fasting blood sugar (FBS)
Effect
Harmful
Effect size
Small
watermelon→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
Watermelon consumption significantly decreased ... totalcholesterol (TC)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
watermelon→Reduced Body Fat
there was not any significant difference in other outcomes of interest including ... body fat
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
watermelon→Reduced Body Mass Index
there was not any significant difference in other outcomes of interest including ... BMI
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
watermelon→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
there was not any significant difference in other outcomes of interest including ... CRP after watermelon supplementation
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
watermelon→Reduced Diastolic Blood Pressure
there was not any significant difference in other outcomes of interest including diastolic blood pressure (DBP)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
watermelon→Reduced Heart Rate
there was not any significant difference in other outcomes of interest including ... heart rate (HR)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
watermelon→Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
Watermelon consumption significantly decreased ... low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
watermelon→Reduced Systolic Blood Pressure
Watermelon consumption significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small