THE EFFECTIVENESS OF WATERMELON JUICE IN REDUCING BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG PROLANIS HYPERTENSION PATIENTS AT PILOLODAA PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER, GORONTALO CITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47918/gzzq3206Keywords:
hypertension, watermelon juice, blood pressure, Prolanis, quasi-experimental studyAbstract
Hypertension is a major public health concern that requires continuous pharmacological treatment and lifestyle modification. Watermelon juice contains bioactive compounds, particularly L-citrulline, that may support blood pressure regulation through nitric oxide synthesis and vasodilation. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of watermelon juice in reducing blood pressure among patients with hypertension participating in Prolanis at Pilolodaa Public Health Center, Gorontalo City. A quantitative quasi-experimental study using a non-equivalent control group pretest–posttest design was conducted with 27 respondents, comprising 13 participants in the intervention group and 14 in the control group. The intervention group received watermelon juice alongside their usual antihypertensive medication, while the control group continued usual care. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and Mann–Whitney U test with a significance level of 0.05. The results showed a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest blood pressure measurements in the intervention group (Z = −2.500, p = 0.012), whereas no significant difference was observed in the control group (Z = 0.000, p = 1.000). The between-group comparison showed no significant difference at baseline (p = 0.793) but a significant difference at posttest (p = 0.017). These findings suggest that watermelon juice may have potential as a complementary dietary intervention for hypertension management. However, the small sample and quasi-experimental design warrant cautious interpretation, and further studies using standardized protocols and direct comparisons of blood pressure changes are needed.
References
[1] K. T. Mills, A. Stefanescu, and J. He, “The global epidemiology of hypertension,” Nat. Rev. Nephrol., vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 223–237, 2020, doi: 10.1038/s41581-019-0244-2.
[2] N. M. L. Massa, A. S. Silva, L. T. Toscano, J. D. G. R. Silva, D. C. Persuhn, and M. D. C. R. Gonçalves, “Watermelon extract reduces blood pressure but does not change sympathovagal balance in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects,” Blood Press., vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 244–248, 2016, doi: 10.3109/08037051.2016.1150561.
[3] S. H. Alshahrani et al., “The effect of watermelon supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials,” J. Herb. Med., vol. 41, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.hermed.2023.100726.
[4] P. Luo, J. Chen, K. Liu, and J. Zhang, “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,” Clin. Nutr. ESPEN, vol. 69, pp. 653–664, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.07.1130.
[5] S. De Denus, A. M. Hardy, K. L. Olson, and B. Robinette, “Key articles and guidelines in the management of hypertension,” Pharmacotherapy, vol. 24, no. 10 II, pp. 1385–1399, 2004, doi: 10.1592/phco.24.14.1385.43151.
[6] T. Fujiwara and K. Kario, “Outcomes of Different Antihypertensive Regimens,” in Management of Hypertension: Current Practice and the Application of Landmark Trials, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Japan: Springer International Publishing, 2018, pp. 183–214. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-92946-0_11.
[7] N. Viktor, “The blood pressure lowering treatment and the cardiovascular risk: The choice of the first line drug,” Orvoskepzes, vol. 78, no. 2–3, pp. 100–111, 2003, [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-38549103052&partnerID=40&md5=c5b665eaf1c3088168ee25a75966f76d
[8] R. Gupta, “Managing hypertension and cardiovascular risk in resource-limited settings,” Curr. Opin. Nephrol. Hypertens., vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 373–386, 2026, doi: 10.1097/MNH.0000000000001161.
[9] A. Hany, K. R. Putra, R. A. Vatmasari, A. N. Nafis, A. T. Amalia, and E. Khamdani, “Importance of self-management interventions in hypertension patients: a scoping review,” Healthc. Low-Resource Settings, vol. 12, no. s1, 2024, doi: 10.4081/hls.2024.13034.
[10] S. Andala, N. Gusti, H. Sofyan, and K. Hasballah, “Understanding Hypertension Management: Knowledge and Beliefs among Indonesian Women,” J. Liaquat Univ. Med. Heal. Sci., vol. 2025-April, pp. 154–158, 2025, doi: 10.22442/jlumhs.2025.01338.
[11] Z. Yin, H. Miao, Z. Zhou, X. Li, and Y. Zhang, “Current perspectives and challenges of digital hypertension: artificial intelligence in the management of hypertension,” Clin. Hypertens., vol. 32, no. 1, 2026, doi: 10.5646/ch.2026.32.e17.
[12] K. Singh, H. Liao, I. Edirisinghe, B. Burton-Freeman, and A. K. Sandhu, “Dose–Response Effect of Watermelon Consumption on Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Adults with Elevated Blood Pressure: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial,” Nutr. , vol. 17, no. 19, 2025, doi: 10.3390/nu17193073.
[13] S. Fadlilah, A. Sucipto, M. Judha, N. H. Rahil, L. B. Fitriana, and D. C. Anita, “Benefits of young coconut water, watermelon, and papaya for blood pressure among hypertension,” Int. Med. J., vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 202–207, 2021, [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85110220096&partnerID=40&md5=41fef2db7d4beefc46ee7539fabae5d1
[14] K. Blohm, J. Beidler, P. Rosen, J. Kressler, and M. Y. Hong, “Effect of acute watermelon juice supplementation on post-submaximal exercise heart rate recovery, blood lactate, blood pressure, blood glucose and muscle soreness in healthy non-athletic men and women,” Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr., vol. 71, no. 4, pp. 482–489, 2020, doi: 10.1080/09637486.2019.1675604.
[15] A. R. Becraft, M. L. Sturm, R. L. Mendez, S. H. Park, S. I. Lee, and N. F. Shay, “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., vol. 150, no. 3, pp. 434–442, 2020, doi: 10.1093/jn/nxz267
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Health, Technology and Science (JHTS)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
