Although some studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of watermelon supplementation on metabolic diseases, no study has explored the potential mechanism by which watermelon consumption improves body weight management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of fresh watermelon consumption on satiety, postprandial glucose and insulin response, and adiposity and body weight change after 4 weeks of intervention in overweight and obese adults. In a crossover design, 33 overweight or obese subjects consumed watermelon (2 cups) or isocaloric low-fat cookies daily for 4 weeks. Relative to cookies, watermelon elicited more (p < 0.05) robust satiety responses (lower hunger, prospective food consumption and desire to eat and greater fullness). Watermelon consumption significantly decreased body weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure and waist-to-hip ratio (p ≤ 0.05). Cookie consumption significantly increased blood pressure and body fat (p < 0.05). Oxidative stress was lower at four week of watermelon intervention compared to cookie intervention (p = 0.034). Total antioxidant capacity increased with watermelon consumption (p = 0.003) in blood. This study shows that reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure can be achieved through daily consumption of watermelon, which also improves some factors associated with overweight and obesity (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03380221).

Emerging research indicates that nuts are a source of health-promoting compounds demonstrating cardioprotective benefits. However, most studies have assessed the effect of single nuts rather than a nut mixture. The objective of this study was, therefore, to examine the effect of mixed-nut consumption on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in overweight and obese adults. In a randomized, parallel-arm, controlled trial, 48 participants consumed isocaloric (250 kcal) amounts of pretzels or mixed-nuts. Body weight (BW) (p = 0.024), BMI (p = 0.043), and insulin levels (p = 0.032) were significantly lower in the nut group compared to the pretzel group. Mixed-nut consumption also significantly reduced glucose (p = 0.04) and insulin (p = 0.032) levels after 4 and 8 weeks compared to baseline, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase of the nut group was significantly lower than the pretzel group (p = 0.002). No significant differences were detected between groups for triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C. However, pretzel consumption increased triglycerides (p = 0.048) from 4 weeks to 8 weeks. Moreover, LDL-C increased (p = 0.038) while HDL-C transiently decreased (p = 0.044) from baseline to 4 weeks. No significant lipid changes were detected within the nut group. Our results suggest that supplementing the diet with mixed-nuts could improve CVD risk factors by improving BW and glucose regulation in comparison to a common carbohydrate-rich snack without promoting the negative effects on lipids detected with pretzels.

In vitro and animal studies show antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties of mangos. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of fresh mango consumption compared to an isocaloric control snack on body weight, glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, liver function enzymes, inflammation, and antioxidant activity in overweight and obese adults (BMI ≥26 kg/m²). In a crossover design, 27 participants consumed 100 kcal/d of fresh mangos or isocaloric low-fat cookies daily for 12 weeks each, separated by a four-week washout period. Blood glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), and aspartate transaminase activity significantly decreased while total antioxidant capacity significantly increased following mango consumption. There were no significant changes in body weight, body fat %, blood pressure, insulin, or lipid profile following mango consumption. Cookie consumption significantly increased body weight, insulin, CRP, and triglycerides. These results suggest that relative to the control snack, mangos may improve certain risk factors associated with overweight and obesity including improved glycemic control and reduced inflammation. NCT03957928.

When people stand still, they exhibit a phenomenon called postural sway, or spontaneous movement of the body's center of pressure, which is related to balance control. In general females show less sway than males, but this difference only begins to appear around puberty, pointing to different levels of sex hormones as one potential mechanism for sway sex differences. In this study, we followed cohorts of young females using oral contraceptives (n = 32) and not using oral contraceptives (n = 19), to investigate associations between estrogen availability and postural sway. All participants visited the lab four times over the putative 28‐day menstrual cycle. At each visit, we performed blood draws to measure plasma estrogen (estradiol) levels, and tests of postural sway using a force plate. During late follicular and mid‐luteal phase, estradiol levels were lower in participants using oral contraceptives (mean differences [95% CI], respectively: −231.33; [−800.44, 337.87]; −613.26; [−1333.60, 107.07] pmol/L; main effect p < 0.001), reflecting expected consequences of oral contraceptive use. Despite these differences, postural sway was not significantly different between participants who were using oral contraceptives and participants who were not (mean difference: 2.09 cm; 95% CI = [−1.05, 5.22]; p = 0.132). Overall, we found no significant effects of the estimated menstrual cycle phase—or absolute levels of estradiol—on postural sway.

Some research supports high-fat carbohydrate (CHO)-restricted diets for weight and fat loss and improvement of cardiovascular disease risk factors. To test this, a randomized crossover study was designed. Subjects (17 obese men and women [BMI: 30–38 kg/m²]) were fed three diets (supplying 1600 and 2200 kilocalories (kcal)/day for women and men, respectively) for 4 weeks, with each trial separated by 4-week washout periods. One CHO-restricted diet (10% CHO, 50% fat, and 40% protein content) was rich in plant foods and mushrooms, while the other CHO-restricted diet included more animal foods (10% CHO, 60% fat, and 30% protein content). The third diet was lower in fat and protein content (LF) and higher in CHOs (61% CHO, 21% fat, and 18% protein content). Body composition was assessed through hydrostatic weighing before and after each diet trial. Fasting blood samples were collected weekly for analysis of hormones and lipids. Data were analyzed through repeated measures analysis of variance with post hoc paired comparison t-tests. Weight and fat loss were similar (P > .05) among trials. Subjects lost lean mass (P < .05) during CHO-restricted trials, but not in the LF trial. Insulin concentrations decreased (P < .05) during the CHO-restricted trial and tended (P = .05) to decrease during the LF trial. Total cholesterol decreased (P < .05) for all trials; however, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased (P < .05) and triacylglycerols were higher (P < .05) following the LF trial. Taken together, energy restriction regardless of diet composition promoted similar weight loss; however, CHO-restricted diets based on either plants/mushrooms or animal foods elicited a more beneficial lipid-altering effect in comparison with the LF diet.