Does l-citrulline supplementation and watermelon intake reduce blood pressure in middle-aged and older adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

IF 2.6 Q3 NUTRITION & DIETETICS

Clinical nutrition ESPEN Pub Date : 2025-08-09 DOI:10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.07.1130

Ping Luo , Jingfeng Chen , Kang Liu , Jia Zhang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

This study aims to investigate the effects of l-citrulline supplementation and watermelon intake on blood pressure (BP) in middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Methods

Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4.1 software, employing a random effects model to statistically analyze the pooled effect sizes of the obtained systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) data. Results are reported as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI).

Results

A total of 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of l-citrulline supplementation and watermelon intake on BP in middle-aged and elderly individuals were included, comprising 24 datasets involving 415 participants. The results indicate that l-citrulline supplementation and watermelon intake significantly reduced SBP (−4.02 mmHg [95 % CI: −6.54 to −1.50], P = 0.002) and DBP (−2.54 mmHg [95 % CI: −4.27 to −0.81], P = 0.004) in the elderly. Subgroup analysis showed that the combined supplementation of l-citrulline and l-arginine significantly decreased SBP (−10.44 mmHg [95 % CI: −13.57 to −7.31], P < 0.00001) and DBP (−4.86 mmHg [95 % CI: −7.93 to −1.79], P = 0.002) in this population.

Conclusion

l-citrulline supplementation and watermelon intake overall lowered BP in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Subgroup analysis indicates that the combined supplementation of l-citrulline and l-arginine is superior to l-citrulline or watermelon supplementation alone. These findings provide new dietary recommendations for BP management in the elderly, suggesting that dietary interventions can effectively improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

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补充l -瓜氨酸和摄入西瓜能降低中老年人的血压吗？随机对照试验的系统回顾和荟萃分析。

目的：探讨补充l -瓜氨酸和摄入西瓜对中老年人血压的影响。方法：采用RevMan 5.4.1软件进行数据分析，采用随机效应模型对获得的收缩压（SBP）和舒张压（DBP）数据的合并效应大小进行统计分析。结果以加权平均差异（WMD）报告，95%置信区间（95% CI）。结果：共纳入15项随机对照试验（RCTs），研究了补充l -瓜氨酸和摄入西瓜对中老年个体血压的影响，包括24个数据集，涉及415名参与者。结果表明，补充l -瓜氨酸和摄入西瓜可显著降低老年人收缩压（-4.02 mmHg [95% CI: -6.54 ~ -1.50], P = 0.002）和舒张压（-2.54 mmHg [95% CI: -4.27 ~ -0.81], P = 0.004）。亚组分析显示，l -瓜氨酸和l -精氨酸联合补充可显著降低该人群的收缩压（-10.44 mmHg [95% CI: -13.57 ~ -7.31], P < 0.00001）和舒张压（-4.86 mmHg [95% CI: -7.93 ~ -1.79], P = 0.002）。结论：补充l -瓜氨酸和摄入西瓜可降低中老年血压。亚组分析表明，l -瓜氨酸和l -精氨酸联合补充优于l -瓜氨酸或单独补充西瓜。这些发现为老年人血压管理提供了新的饮食建议，表明饮食干预可以有效改善心血管健康，降低心血管疾病（CVD）的风险。

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来源期刊

Clinical nutrition ESPEN NUTRITION & DIETETICS-

CiteScore

4.90

自引率

3.30%

发文量

512

期刊介绍： Clinical Nutrition ESPEN is an electronic-only journal and is an official publication of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN). Nutrition and nutritional care have gained wide clinical and scientific interest during the past decades. The increasing knowledge of metabolic disturbances and nutritional assessment in chronic and acute diseases has stimulated rapid advances in design, development and clinical application of nutritional support. The aims of ESPEN are to encourage the rapid diffusion of knowledge and its application in the field of clinical nutrition and metabolism. Published bimonthly, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN focuses on publishing articles on the relationship between nutrition and disease in the setting of basic science and clinical practice. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN is available to all members of ESPEN and to all subscribers of Clinical Nutrition.