Watermelon, the New Oyster? Fruit Said to Have 'Viagra-Like' Effects on Blood Vessels

[Woodmonkey]

Forget the oysters. Texas A&M scientists say watermelon contains ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects to the body's blood vessels and may even increase the libido.

Researchers from Texas A&M long have studied the fruit and found that it contains natural "enhancers" to the human body.

"We've always known that watermelon is good for you, but the list of its very important healthful benefits grows longer with each study," said Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, in a news release from the university.

Watermelon and some other fruits and vegetables contain phyto-nutrients, including lycopene, beta carotene and citrulline, which are compounds that produce healthy reactions in the body, Patil said.

Specifically, scientists believe it's the citrulline that has the ability to relax blood vessels, much like Viagra does.

When watermelon is consumed, citrulline is converted into the amino acid arginine, which works "wonders on the heart and circulation system and maintains a good immune system," Patil said.

"Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra," he said, "but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side-effects."

The highest concentrations of citrulline are found in the rind of the watermelon. Because the rind is not commonly eaten, Texas A&M researchers Steve King and Hae Jeen Bang are working to produce watermelon hybrids that would bring higher concentrations of citrulline to the flesh of the fruit.

The source

[john mclaughlin]

ok,i,m a die hard watermelon hater,but if its good for wood ,i,ll have to bite.

[Snowden]

Want the Viagra effect without taking a pill? Try eating a watermelon


By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:52 PM on 03rd July 2008

A slice of watermelon has libido-boosting effects similar to the Viagra, researchers have discovered.

An ingredient called citrulline found in the flesh and rind of the fruit can help relax the body's blood vessels, just like the erectile-dysfunction drug, they said.

When consumed in large enough amounts, citrulline is turned into a substance called arginine which benefits the heart and the circulatory and immune systems.

'Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it,' said Bhimu Patil, a Texas researcher.

'Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects.'

But other scientists warned that further development was needed before the findings made at Texas A&M's research centre bore fruit.

US government agriculture expert Penelope Perkins-Veazie said you would need to eat about 4lb of watermelon - which is a diuretic - to get enough citrulline to boost the body's arginine level.

She said: 'The problem you have when you eat a lot of watermelon is you tend to run to the bathroom more.'

She added that the sugar from the watermelon could cause cramping.

Mr Patil conceded that scientists would have to find ways to boost the concentrations of citrulline in the watermelon flesh. He also hopes to carry out studies on how to reduce the sugar content.



Want the Viagra effect without taking a pill? Try eating a watermelon | Mail Online

[john mclaughlin]

this is sounding kinkier with the diuretic effect,thats somewhere i dont want to go---yet anyways

[Woodmonkey]

This isn't the forum for it. That's ChitChat and even there, there's a line not to be crossed.