Nutrition Research
The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) funds research studies that are based on sound science and are conducted by autonomous researchers at well-established institutions using rigorous research methodology. All publications of research studies are written by and submitted to peer-reviewed journals by the researcher, independent of the NWPB.
In this Nutrition Research Library, the following scientific research papers provide more details on the role that watermelon may play in promoting good health. Click on the category titles to view in-depth watermelon research.
🍉 = NWPB-funded Study
- Assefa AD, Hur OS, Ro NY, Lee JE, Hwang AJ, Kim BS, Rhee JH, Yi JY, Kim JH, Lee HS, Sung JS, Kim MK, Noh JJ. Fruit Morphology, Citrulline, and Arginine Levels in Diverse Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Germplasm Collections. . Plants (Basel). 2020 Aug 19;9(9):E1054. doi: 10.3390/plants9091054. PMID: 32824928.
- Crowe-White KM, Voruganti VS, Talevi V, Dudenbostel T, Nagabooshanam VA, Locher JL, Ellis AC. Variation of Serum Lycopene in Response to 100% Watermelon Juice: An Exploratory Analysis of Genetic Variants in a Randomized Controlled Crossover Study. Curr Dev Nutr. 2020 Jun 17;4(7):nzaa102. doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa102. PMID: 32695957; PMCID: PMC7363307.
- Ellis AC, Dudenbostel T, Crowe-White K. Watermelon Juice: a Novel Functional Food to Increase Circulating Lycopene in Older Adult Women. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2019 Jun;74(2):200-203. doi: 10.1007/s11130-019-00719-9. PMID: 30756297.
- Jeffery JL, Turner ND, King SR. Carotenoid bioaccessibility from nine raw carotenoid-storing fruits and vegetables using an in vitro model. J Sci Food Agric. 2012 Oct;92(13):2603-10. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.5768. Epub 2012 Jul 17. PMID: 22806183.
- Shanely RA, Zwetsloot JJ, Jurrissen TJ, Hannan LC, Zwetsloot KA, Needle AR, Bishop AE, Wu G, Perkins-Veazie P. Daily watermelon consumption decreases plasma sVCAM-1 levels in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Nutr Res. 2020 Apr;76:9-19. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2020.02.005. Epub 2020 Feb 8. PMID: 32142970. 🍉
- Subburaj S, Lee K, Jeon Y, Tu L, Son G, Choi S, Lim YP, McGregor C, Lee GJ. Whole genome resequencing of watermelons to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms related to flesh color and lycopene content. PLoS One. 2019 Oct 9;14(10):e0223441. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223441. PMID: 31596903; PMCID: PMC6785133.
- Sulaiman F, Ahmad Azam A, Ahamad Bustamam MS, et al. Metabolite Profiles of Red and Yellow Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Cultivars Using a 1H-NMR Metabolomics Approach. Molecules. 2020;25(14):3235. Published 2020 Jul 15. doi:10.3390/molecules25143235
- Assefa AD, Hur OS, Ro NY, Lee JE, Hwang AJ, Kim BS, Rhee JH, Yi JY, Kim JH, Lee HS, Sung JS, Kim MK, Noh JJ. Fruit Morphology, Citrulline, and Arginine Levels in Diverse Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Germplasm Collections. Plants (Basel). 2020 Aug 19;9(9):E1054. doi: 10.3390/plants9091054. PMID: 32824928.
- Sulaiman F, Ahmad Azam A, Ahamad Bustamam MS, et al. Metabolite Profiles of Red and Yellow Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Cultivars Using a 1H-NMR Metabolomics Approach. Molecules. 2020;25(14):3235. Published 2020 Jul 15. doi:10.3390/molecules25143235
- Collins JK, Wu G, Perkins-Veazie P, Spears K, Claypool PL, Baker RA, Clevidence BA. Watermelon consumption increases plasma arginine concentrations in adults. Nutrition. 2007 Mar;23(3):261-6. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2007.01.005. PMID: 17352962 🍉
- Martínez-Sánchez A, Alacid F, Rubio-Arias JA, Fernández-Lobato B, Ramos-Campo DJ, Aguayo E. Consumption of Watermelon Juice Enriched in l-Citrulline and Pomegranate Ellagitannins Enhanced Metabolism during Physical Exercise. J Agric Food Chem. 2017 Jun 7;65(22):4395-4404. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b00586. Epub 2017 May 26. PMID: 28513179.
- Martínez-Sánchez A, Ramos-Campo DJ, Fernández-Lobato B, Rubio-Arias JA, Alacid F, Aguayo E. Biochemical, physiological, and performance response of a functional watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline during a half-marathon race. Food Nutr Res. 2017 Jun 13;61(1):1330098. doi: 10.1080/16546628.2017.1330098. PMID: 28659740; PMCID: PMC5475291.
- Poduri A, Rateri DL, Saha SK, Saha S, Daugherty A. Citrullus lanatus ‘sentinel’ (watermelon) extract reduces atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2013 May;24(5):882-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2012.05.011. Epub 2012 Aug 16. PMID: 22902326; PMCID: PMC3504646.
- Shanely RA, Nieman DC, Perkins-Veazie P, Henson DA, Meaney MP, Knab AM, Cialdell-Kam L. Comparison of Watermelon and Carbohydrate Beverage on Exercise-Induced Alterations in Systemic Inflammation, Immune Dysfunction, and Plasma Antioxidant Capacity. Nutrients. 2016 Aug 22;8(8):518. doi: 10.3390/nu8080518. PMID: 27556488; PMCID: PMC4997430. 🍉
- Tarazona-Díaz MP, Alacid F, Carrasco M, Martínez I, Aguayo E. Watermelon juice: potential functional drink for sore muscle relief in athletes. J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Aug 7;61(31):7522-8. doi: 10.1021/jf400964r. Epub 2013 Jul 29. Erratum in: J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Nov 20;61(46):11241. PMID: 23862566.
- Assefa AD, Hur OS, Ro NY, Lee JE, Hwang AJ, Kim BS, Rhee JH, Yi JY, Kim JH, Lee HS, Sung JS, Kim MK, Noh JJ. Fruit Morphology, Citrulline, and Arginine Levels in Diverse Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Germplasm Collections. Plants (Basel). 2020 Aug 19;9(9):E1054. doi: 10.3390/plants9091054. PMID: 32824928.
- Sulaiman F, Ahmad Azam A, Ahamad Bustamam MS, et al. Metabolite Profiles of Red and Yellow Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Cultivars Using a 1H-NMR Metabolomics Approach. Molecules. 2020;25(14):3235. Published 2020 Jul 15. doi:10.3390/molecules25143235
- Jeffery JL, Turner ND, King SR. Carotenoid bioaccessibility from nine raw carotenoid-storing fruits and vegetables using an in vitro model. J Sci Food Agric. 2012 Oct;92(13):2603-10. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.5768. Epub 2012 Jul 17. PMID: 22806183.
- Subburaj S, Lee K, Jeon Y, Tu L, Son G, Choi S, Lim YP, McGregor C, Lee GJ. Whole genome resequencing of watermelons to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms related to flesh color and lycopene content. PLoS One. 2019 Oct 9;14(10):e0223441. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223441. PMID: 31596903; PMCID: PMC6785133.
- Ajiboye BO, Shonibare MT, Oyinloye BE. Antidiabetic activity of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2020 Apr 28;19(1):343-352. doi: 10.1007/s40200-020-00515-2. PMID: 32550185; PMCID: PMC7270380.
- Behere M, Patil SS, Rathod VK. Rapid extraction of watermelon seed proteins using microwave and its functional properties. Prep Biochem Biotechnol. 2020 Aug 31:1-8. doi: 10.1080/10826068.2020.1808792. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32862784.
- Naknaen P, Itthisoponkul T, Sondee A, Angsombat N. Utilization of watermelon rind waste as a potential source of dietary fiber to improve health promoting properties and reduce glycemic index for cookie making. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2016 Apr 30;25(2):415-424. doi: 10.1007/s10068-016-0057-z. PMID: 30263285; PMCID: PMC6049186.
- Tarazona-Díaz MP, Aguayo E. Influence of acidification, pasteurization, centrifugation and storage time and temperature on watermelon juice quality. J Sci Food Agric. 2013 Dec;93(15):3863-9. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.6332. Epub 2013 Aug 21. PMID: 23907928.
- Wen C, Zhang J, Feng Y, Duan Y, Ma H, Zhang H. Purification and identification of novel antioxidant peptides from watermelon seed protein hydrolysates and their cytoprotective effects on H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Food Chem. 2020 Oct 15;327:127059. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127059. Epub 2020 May 15. PMID: 32447138.
- Jeffery JL, Turner ND, King SR. Carotenoid bioaccessibility from nine raw carotenoid-storing fruits and vegetables using an in vitro model. J Sci Food Agric. 2012 Oct;92(13):2603-10. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.5768. Epub 2012 Jul 17. PMID: 22806183.
- Tarazona-Díaz MP, Alacid F, Carrasco M, Martínez I, Aguayo E. Watermelon juice: potential functional drink for sore muscle relief in athletes. J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Aug 7;61(31):7522-8. doi: 10.1021/jf400964r. Epub 2013 Jul 29. Erratum in: J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Nov 20;61(46):11241. PMID: 23862566.
- Crowe-White KM, Voruganti VS, Talevi V, Dudenbostel T, Nagabooshanam VA, Locher JL, Ellis AC. Variation of Serum Lycopene in Response to 100% Watermelon Juice: An Exploratory Analysis of Genetic Variants in a Randomized Controlled Crossover Study. Curr Dev Nutr. 2020 Jun 17;4(7):nzaa102. doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa102. PMID: 32695957; PMCID: PMC7363307.
- Ellis AC, Dudenbostel T, Crowe-White K. Watermelon Juice: a Novel Functional Food to Increase Circulating Lycopene in Older Adult Women. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2019 Jun;74(2):200-203. doi: 10.1007/s11130-019-00719-9. PMID: 30756297.
- Ajiboye BO, Shonibare MT, Oyinloye BE. Antidiabetic activity of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2020 Apr 28;19(1):343-352. doi: 10.1007/s40200-020-00515-2. PMID: 32550185; PMCID: PMC7270380.
- Naknaen P, Itthisoponkul T, Sondee A, Angsombat N. Utilization of watermelon rind waste as a potential source of dietary fiber to improve health promoting properties and reduce glycemic index for cookie making. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2016 Apr 30;25(2):415-424. doi: 10.1007/s10068-016-0057-z. PMID: 30263285; PMCID: PMC6049186.
- Wen C, Zhang J, Feng Y, Duan Y, Ma H, Zhang H. Purification and identification of novel antioxidant peptides from watermelon seed protein hydrolysates and their cytoprotective effects on H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Food Chem. 2020 Oct 15;327:127059. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127059. Epub 2020 May 15. PMID: 32447138.
- Poduri A, Rateri DL, Saha SK, Saha S, Daugherty A. Citrullus lanatus ‘sentinel’ (watermelon) extract reduces atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2013 May;24(5):882-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2012.05.011. Epub 2012 Aug 16. PMID: 22902326; PMCID: PMC3504646.
- Hong MY, Hartig N, Kaufman K, Hooshmand S, Figueroa A, Kern M. Watermelon consumption improves inflammation and antioxidant capacity in rats fed an atherogenic diet. Nutr Res. 2015 Mar;35(3):251-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2014.12.005. Epub 2015 Jan 3. PMID: 25631716.
- Hong MY, Beidler J, Hooshmand S, Figueroa A, Kern M. Watermelon and l-arginine consumption improve serum lipid profile and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress by altering gene expression in rats fed an atherogenic diet. Nutr Res. 2018 Oct;58:46-54. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2018.06.008. Epub 2018 Jun 30. PMID: 30340814.
- Lum T, Connolly M, Marx A, Beidler J, Hooshmand S, Kern M, Liu C, Hong MY. Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute Satiety Response and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults. Nutrients. 2019 Mar 12;11(3):595. doi: 10.3390/nu11030595. PMID: 30870970; PMCID: PMC6470521.
- Mohammad MK, Mohamed MI, Zakaria AM, Abdul Razak HR, Saad WM. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai) juice modulates oxidative damage induced by low dose X-ray in mice. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:512834. doi: 10.1155/2014/512834. Epub 2014 Apr 29. PMID: 24877107; PMCID: PMC4020559.
- Poduri A, Rateri DL, Saha SK, Saha S, Daugherty A. Citrullus lanatus ‘sentinel’ (watermelon) extract reduces atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2013 May;24(5):882-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2012.05.011. Epub 2012 Aug 16. PMID: 22902326; PMCID: PMC3504646.
- Hong MY, Hartig N, Kaufman K, Hooshmand S, Figueroa A, Kern M. Watermelon consumption improves inflammation and antioxidant capacity in rats fed an atherogenic diet. Nutr Res. 2015 Mar;35(3):251-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2014.12.005. Epub 2015 Jan 3. PMID: 25631716.
- Hong MY, Beidler J, Hooshmand S, Figueroa A, Kern M. Watermelon and l-arginine consumption improve serum lipid profile and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress by altering gene expression in rats fed an atherogenic diet. Nutr Res. 2018 Oct;58:46-54. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2018.06.008. Epub 2018 Jun 30. PMID: 30340814.
- Wirth MD, Shivappa N, Samira K, Shraddha V, Beresford L, Sofge J, Hebert J. Impact of a 3-Month Anti-inflammatory Dietary Intervention Focusing on Watermelon on Body Habitus, Inflammation, and Metabolic Markers: A Pilot Study. Nutr Metab Insights. 2020; 13: 1178638819899398. doi: 10.1177/1178638819899398. Epub online 2020 Jan 13. PMID: 31975781.
- Poduri A, Rateri DL, Saha SK, Saha S, Daugherty A. Citrullus lanatus ‘sentinel’ (watermelon) extract reduces atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2013 May;24(5):882-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2012.05.011. Epub 2012 Aug 16. PMID: 22902326; PMCID: PMC3504646.
- Lum T, Connolly M, Marx A, Beidler J, Hooshmand S, Kern M, Liu C, Hong MY. Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute Satiety Response and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults. Nutrients. 2019 Mar 12;11(3):595. doi: 10.3390/nu11030595. PMID: 30870970; PMCID: PMC6470521.
- Wirth MD, Shivappa N, Khan S, Vyas S, Beresford L, Sofge J, Hébert JR. Impact of a 3-Month Anti-inflammatory Dietary Intervention Focusing on Watermelon on Body Habitus, Inflammation, and Metabolic Markers: A Pilot Study. Nutr Metab Insights. 2020 Jan 13;13:1178638819899398. doi: 10.1177/1178638819899398. PMID: 31975781; PMCID: PMC6958645.
- Poduri A, Rateri DL, Saha SK, Saha S, Daugherty A. Citrullus lanatus ‘sentinel’ (watermelon) extract reduces atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2013 May;24(5):882-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2012.05.011. Epub 2012 Aug 16. PMID: 22902326; PMCID: PMC3504646.
- Lum T, Connolly M, Marx A, Beidler J, Hooshmand S, Kern M, Liu C, Hong MY. Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute Satiety Response and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults. Nutrients. 2019 Mar 12;11(3):595. doi: 10.3390/nu11030595. PMID: 30870970; PMCID: PMC6470521.
- Ajiboye BO, Shonibare MT, Oyinloye BE. Antidiabetic activity of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2020 Apr 28;19(1):343-352. doi: 10.1007/s40200-020-00515-2. PMID: 32550185; PMCID: PMC7270380.
- Hong MY, Hartig N, Kaufman K, Hooshmand S, Figueroa A, Kern M. Watermelon consumption improves inflammation and antioxidant capacity in rats fed an atherogenic diet. Nutr Res. 2015 Mar;35(3):251-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2014.12.005. Epub 2015 Jan 3. PMID: 25631716.
- Hong MY, Beidler J, Hooshmand S, Figueroa A, Kern M. Watermelon and l-arginine consumption improve serum lipid profile and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress by altering gene expression in rats fed an atherogenic diet. Nutr Res. 2018 Oct;58:46-54. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2018.06.008. Epub 2018 Jun 30. PMID: 30340814.
- Collins JK, Wu G, Perkins-Veazie P, Spears K, Claypool PL, Baker RA, Clevidence BA. Watermelon consumption increases plasma arginine concentrations in adults. Nutrition. 2007 Mar;23(3):261-6. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2007.01.005. PMID: 17352962 🍉
- Shanely RA, Zwetsloot JJ, Jurrissen TJ, Hannan LC, Zwetsloot KA, Needle AR, Bishop AE, Wu G, Perkins-Veazie P. Daily watermelon consumption decreases plasma sVCAM-1 levels in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Nutr Res. 2020 Apr;76:9-19. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2020.02.005. Epub 2020 Feb 8. PMID: 32142970. 🍉
- Figueroa A, Sanchez-Gonzalez MA, Wong A, Arjmandi BH. Watermelon extract supplementation reduces ankle blood pressure and carotid augmentation index in obese adults with prehypertension or hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 2012 Jun;25(6):640-3. doi: 10.1038/ajh.2012.20. Epub 2012 Mar 8. PMID: 22402472. 🍉
- Figueroa A, Wong A, Hooshmand S, Sanchez-Gonzalez MA. Effects of watermelon supplementation on arterial stiffness and wave reflection amplitude in postmenopausal women. Menopause. 2013 May;20(5):573-7. doi: 10.1097/GME.0b013e3182733794. PMID: 23615650. 🍉
- Figueroa A, Wong A, Kalfon R. Effects of watermelon supplementation on aortic hemodynamic responses to the cold pressor test in obese hypertensive adults. Am J Hypertens. 2014 Jul;27(7):899-906. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpt295. Epub 2014 Feb 26. PMID: 24572702. 🍉
- Ajiboye BO, Shonibare MT, Oyinloye BE. Antidiabetic activity of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2020 Apr 28;19(1):343-352. doi: 10.1007/s40200-020-00515-2. PMID: 32550185; PMCID: PMC7270380.
- Ahn J, Choi W, Kim S, Ha T. Anti-diabetic effect of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad) on Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Food science and biotechnology. 2011 Feb 1;20(1):251-4.
- Becraft AR, Sturm ML, Mendez RL, Park SH, Lee SI, Shay NF. Intake of Watermelon or Its Byproducts Alters Glucose Metabolism, the Microbiome, and Hepatic Proinflammatory Metabolites in High-Fat-Fed Male C57BL/6 J Mice. J Nutr. 2020 Mar 1;150(3):434-442. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxz267. PMID: 31711172.
- Quang C, Rosas Jr. M, Rasmussen C, and Hong MY. The Effects of Fresh Watermelon Juice Consumption on Satiety, Postprandial Glucose, Insulin Response, and Topical Application on Skin Health in Healthy Adults. Current Developments in Nutrition 2020;4(Supplement_2):456.
- Tarazona-Díaz MP, Alacid F, Carrasco M, Martínez I, Aguayo E. Watermelon juice: potential functional drink for sore muscle relief in athletes. J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Aug 7;61(31):7522-8. doi: 10.1021/jf400964r. Epub 2013 Jul 29. Erratum in: J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Nov 20;61(46):11241. PMID: 23862566.
- Martínez-Sánchez A, Alacid F, Rubio-Arias JA, Fernández-Lobato B, Ramos-Campo DJ, Aguayo E. Consumption of Watermelon Juice Enriched in l-Citrulline and Pomegranate Ellagitannins Enhanced Metabolism during Physical Exercise. J Agric Food Chem. 2017 Jun 7;65(22):4395-4404. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b00586. Epub 2017 May 26. PMID: 28513179.
- Martínez-Sánchez A, Ramos-Campo DJ, Fernández-Lobato B, Rubio-Arias JA, Alacid F, Aguayo E. Biochemical, physiological, and performance response of a functional watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline during a half-marathon race. Food Nutr Res. 2017 Jun 13;61(1):1330098. doi: 10.1080/16546628.2017.1330098. PMID: 28659740; PMCID: PMC5475291.
- Shanely RA, Nieman DC, Perkins-Veazie P, Henson DA, Meaney MP, Knab AM, Cialdell-Kam L. Comparison of Watermelon and Carbohydrate Beverage on Exercise-Induced Alterations in Systemic Inflammation, Immune Dysfunction, and Plasma Antioxidant Capacity. Nutrients. 2016 Aug 22;8(8):518. doi: 10.3390/nu8080518. PMID: 27556488; PMCID: PMC4997430. 🍉
- Quang C, Rosas Jr. M, Rasmussen C, and Hong MY. The Effects of Fresh Watermelon Juice Consumption on Satiety, Postprandial Glucose, Insulin Response, and Topical Application on Skin Health in Healthy Adults. Current Developments in Nutrition 2020;4(Supplement_2):456.
- Lum T, Connolly M, Marx A, Beidler J, Hooshmand S, Kern M, Liu C, Hong MY. Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute Satiety Response and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults. Nutrients. 2019 Mar 12;11(3):595. doi: 10.3390/nu11030595. PMID: 30870970; PMCID: PMC6470521.