Objective
We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials that examined the effects of L-citrulline supplementation on blood pressure (BP).
Conclusions
L-citrulline naturally found in watermelon has been found , in this study, with high efficacy of reducing blood pressure. Patients reported to have lower systolic blood pressure after regular intake of supplementation.
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Insights
L-citrulline supplementation may reduce systolic blood pressure. A significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure was observed only in the studies that used doses ≥ 6 g/day.
The included studies' sample size ranged between 12 and 34 subjects. The mean age of the participants in these trials ranged between 22 and 71 years. Dosage of L-citrulline supplementation varied from 3 to 9 g/day. Duration of the intervention ranged between 1 and 17 weeks. The pooled changes in systolic and diastolic BP were (MD, −4.10 mm Hg; 95% CI [−7.94, -0.26]; p=0.037) and (MD −2.08 mm Hg; 95% CI [−4.32, 0.16]; P=0.069), respectively. The subgroup analysis showed a significant diastolic BP reduction in studies that used doses of ≥6 g/day (MD −2.75 mm Hg; 95% CI [−5.37, -0.12]; p=0.04).
