Skip Your Viagra: Watermelon May Do The Trick
July 01, 2008 2:46 PM
by
Rachel Balik
Scientists find that a phytonutrient in watermelon relaxes blood vessels, just like Viagra does.
30-Second Summary
This Fourth of July, some men may win their independence from medication: scientists have found nutrients in watermelon that result in increased blood flow, which is one of the main functions of Viagra. “We’ve always known that watermelon is good for you, but the list of its very important healthful benefits grows longer with each study,” Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center in College said.
When watermelon is consumed, the phytonutrient citrulline is converted into arginine, an amino acid that increases nitric oxide levels, which dilates blood vessels, “the same basic effect as Viagra.” Dr. Patil says that watermelon, unlike Viagra, does not focus specifically on one organ but “it’s a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side-effects.”
Viagra has relatively few side effects, but few benefits other than treating E.D. Not only is nitric oxide a remedy for erectile dysfunction, it also helps to treat angina, heart disease and high blood pressure.
When watermelon is consumed, the phytonutrient citrulline is converted into arginine, an amino acid that increases nitric oxide levels, which dilates blood vessels, “the same basic effect as Viagra.” Dr. Patil says that watermelon, unlike Viagra, does not focus specifically on one organ but “it’s a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side-effects.”
Viagra has relatively few side effects, but few benefits other than treating E.D. Not only is nitric oxide a remedy for erectile dysfunction, it also helps to treat angina, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Headline Link: ‘Watermelon May Have Viagra-effect’
Researchers at Texas A&M are excited to report that watermelon contains a valuable phytonutrient called cirtrulline that can help fight both heart disease and erectile dysfunction. When citrulline is digested, it gets converted into an amino acid called arginine that dilates blood vessels. Dilated blood vessels increase blood flow, which aids cardiovascular health—and is also one of the main benefits of Viagra. “We’ve always known that watermelon is good for you, but the list of its very important healthful benefits grows longer with each study,” Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center in College said. He adds, “Watermelon may not be as organ specific as Viagra … but it’s a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side-effects.”
Source: Science Daily
Related Topic: Superfoods
Consumers and scientists alike have become increasingly interested in the phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables, leading to a recent craze over so-called “superfoods.” In many cases, the extra nutrients directly correlate to extra cash in a manufacturer’s pocket, so it’s in your best interest to know whether a food is truly essential or just a product of a marketing ploy. With a little research, you may find that many of the fruits and vegetables you already eat are in fact quite “super.”
Source: findingDulcinea
Reference Links: The Nutrients in Watermelon and the Effects of Viagra
Watermelon’s health benefits are far more wide-ranging than Viagra’s. Watermelon can also prevent prostrate cancer; soothe inflammation that causes asthma, diabetes and arthritis; protect eyesight and provide essential vitamin B nutrients.
Source: The World’s Healthiest Foods
Viagra has very few side effects, but it is not safe to take to take if you have health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. According to the Viagra Web site, 85 percent of men with erectile dysfunction experience improvement with Viagra.



