Eating Watermelon Benefits Heart Health

Individuals who incorporate watermelon into their diets may help lower their risk of  atherosclerosis, according to new research conducted at the University of Kentucky. The findings also suggest the nutrient-rich melon may help in the area of weight management.

Researchers conduced a study on mice with diet-induced high cholesterol. The control group was given water to drink, while the experimental group was given watermelon juice. By week eight of the study, the mice given watermelon juice had lower body weight than the control group, due to decrease of fat mass. They experienced no decrease in lean mass. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower in the experimental group, with modestly reduced intermediate and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations as compared to the control group.

A measurement of atherosclerotic lesion areas revealed that the watermelon juice group also experienced statistically significant reductions in atherosclerotic lesions, as compared to the control group.

“Melons have many health benefits," said lead investigator Sibu Saha. “Our ultimate goal is to identify bioactive compounds that would improve human health."