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Acute Effects of Watermelon on Vascular Function and Serum Antioxidant Capacity
Author(s) -
Ellis Amy,
Dudenbostel Tanja,
CroweWhite Kristi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.973.10
Subject(s) - oxygen radical absorbance capacity , ascorbic acid , medicine , antioxidant , endothelial dysfunction , oxidative stress , nitric oxide , lycopene , vitamin c , antioxidant capacity , food science , physiology , endocrinology , chemistry , biochemistry
Background Vascular dysfunction is an early independent predictor of future cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among women in the United States. Vascular endothelial function declines with age, largely due to decreased nitric oxide (NO) and increased oxidative stress. It is plausible that multiple bioactive compounds naturally found in watermelon (lycopene, ascorbic acid, arginine, citrulline, and glutamine) may act in synergy to improve endothelial function by increasing bioavailable NO and antioxidant capacity. Objective To determine whether a one‐time dose of 100% watermelon juice favorably affects vascular endothelial function and endogenous antioxidant capacity in older adult women. Methods Ten women ages 60–70 years were asked to consume a 12‐ounce serving of 100% watermelon juice after an 8‐hour overnight fast. At baseline and two hours after juice consumption, vascular endothelial function was assessed by flow‐mediated dilation (FMD%) and blood was collected for assessing the antioxidant capacity (AC) of deproteinated serum using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. Results Average FMD% improved by 3.7% after juice consumption, and systolic blood pressure decreased by an average of 2.4 mmHg, although changes did not reach statistical significance. While hydrophilic AC was not significantly different between the two time points, lipophilic and total AC were significantly lower two hours post‐consumption which suggests that acute intake of the bioactive compounds in watermelon provided a short‐term (<2 hour) post‐prandial antioxidant effect (p=0.012 and 0.028, respectively). Conclusions Data from this pilot study suggest a dose‐duration response. A longitudinal intervention examining recurring intake among a larger sample size is warranted in order to determine the potential clinical impact of this food‐first intervention. Support or Funding Information Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation / Healthy Aging Practice Group