Snacking On Watermelon Beneficial For Weight Control -Study.
Eating an apple a day may keep the doctor away, but eating watermelon may just keep that unwanted excess weight at bay. Now, a new study shows that watermelon may help manage health issues caused by unhealthy diet such as overweight.The study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that watermelon byproducts positively alter glucose levels, the gut microbiome, and inflammation in laboratory mice.
The researchers at Oregon State University had wanted to know if a supplement version of watermelon byproducts (skin and rind that typically end up as food waste) offered any metabolic benefits to obese male mice fed a western-style diet.
They made note of the weights and glucose levels of the mice at the beginning and end of a trial that fed mice five different diets: a low-fat diet, a high-fat control diet, a high-fat diet with watermelon skin supplements, a high-fat diet with watermelon rind supplements, and a high-fat diet with watermelon flesh supplements.
The trial, which lasted for over a 10-week period, found that the mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with watermelon products had significantly better blood glucose levels than the mice on the high-fat-only diet. Elevated blood glucose levels can lead to Type 2 diabetes.
Watermelon contains the amino acid citrulline, which helps the body produce nitric oxide, a gas that relaxes blood vessels and encourages flexibility in arteries.
These effects aid blood flow, which can lower high blood pressure. Watermelon also contains lycopene, a phytonutrient antioxidant compound which has been linked to several health benefits, including decreasing the risk of heart disease.
Worldwide, more people are becoming obese. Being overweight can lead to negative health effects such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
Although lifestyle changes are recommended, like exercise and eating healthy meals, many individuals find it difficult to avoid a high-fat diet. But healthful snacking may be a simpler and more sustainable approach to improving dietary quality, increasing satiety, and combating weight gain.
As a snack, the fruit is palatable and convenient and has generally been associated with lower body weight in epidemiological studies. And watermelon is a strong candidate to promote satiety because its high water content results in a lower energy density than most fruits or low-fat cookie snack.
Insulin levels were found to be lower in the watermelon supplement groups and researchers also saw a shift in microbiome composition, which significantly increased the beneficial bacteria in the mice that were given watermelon supplements.
In addition, mice given watermelon supplements experienced a drop in the levels of prostaglandin F2a, an inflammatory mediator. When compared to the high-fat control group, the mice given the supplements also had reduced inflammation, suggesting the P-F2a may have played a role in reducing inflammation.
Generally speaking, the lower the level of P-F2a, the better off a person would be. This would be an indication that there is something in the whole food product that is producing a beneficial, anti-inflammatory effect.
At the end of the trial, the high-fat control group also had a similar body weight to the high-fat watermelon supplement groups, suggesting watermelon doesn't play a significant role in weight.
The researchers said that they intend to further test watermelon flesh and watermelon rind products in human subjects to further confirm its benefit in weight control.
Previously, researchers in the journal, Nutrients suggested that fresh watermelon, when consumed in place of conventional refined carbohydrate snacks, may help reduce appetite and assist with weight management while reducing cardiovascular risk factors.
Researchers at the San Diego State University had explored the potential mechanism by which watermelon consumption improves bodyweight management. They said its consumption significantly decreased body weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure and waist-to-hip ratio, unlike low-fat cookie snacks.
The study was in 33 overweight or obese adults that consumed watermelon (two cups) or isocaloric low-fat cookies daily for four weeks.
Aside from the daily consumption of either snack, participants were instructed to maintain their typical dietary intakes and physical activity levels.
Relative to cookies, the whole watermelon elicited more robust satiety responses (lower hunger, prospective food consumption and desire to eat and greater fullness). Cookie consumption significantly increased blood pressure and body fat. Oxidative stress was lower at four weeks of watermelon intervention compared to cookie intervention. Total antioxidant capacity increased with watermelon consumption in blood.
They, therefore, suggested that reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure can be achieved through daily consumption of red-fleshed watermelon, which also improves some factors associated with overweight and obesity.
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Publication: | Nigerian Tribune (Oyo State, Nigeria) |
|---|---|
| Date: | Jan 23, 2020 |
| Words: | 821 |
| Previous Article: | Restore Management Sciences To Agric Varsities, FUNAAB VC Pleads. |
| Next Article: | FG Collaborates With D-8'S Hespi In Rehabilitation Of Health Sector. |
| Topics: | |