Guys, eat your watermelon.
A new study shows that watermelon has ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects to blood vessels and may even increase libido.
"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 Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center.
Some of the beneficial ingredients in watermelon include lycopene, beta carotene and citrulline. When watermelon is consumed, citrulline is converted to arginine, an amino acid that works wonders on the heart and circulation system.
“The citrulline-arginine relationship helps heart health, the immune system and may prove to be very helpful for those who suffer from obesity and type 2 diabetes,” said Patil. “Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it.”
While there are many psychological and physiological problems that can cause impotence, extra nitric oxide could help those who need increased blood flow, which would also help treat angina, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.
As an added bonus, these studies have also shown that deep red varieties of watermelon have displaced the tomato as the lycopene king, Patil said. Almost 92 percent of watermelon is water, but the remaining 8 percent is loaded with lycopene, an anti-oxidant that protects the human heart, prostate and skin health.
The highest concentrations of citrullline is found in the watermelon's rind. Scientists at Texas A&M are now working to breed more varieties with higher concentrations of citrulline in the flesh.
"Watermelon may not be as organ specific as Viagra," Patil said, "but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side-effects."