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Watermelon May Have Viagra-Effect
Secrets of Phyto-nutrients Are Being Unraveled
COLLEGE STATION (June 30, 2008) -- A cold
slice of watermelon has long been a Fourth of July holiday
staple. But according to recent studies, the juicy fruit may
be better suited for Valentine’s Day.
That’s because scientists say watermelon has ingredients
that deliver Viagra-like effects to the body’s blood vessels
and may even increase libido.
 “The
more we study watermelons, the more we realize just how
amazing a fruit it is in providing natural enhancers to the
human body,” said Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M’s
Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center in College Station.
“We’ve always known that watermelon is good for you, but
the list of its very important healthful benefits grows longer
with each study.”
Beneficial ingredients in watermelon and other fruits and
vegetables are known as phyto-nutrients, naturally occurring
compounds that are bioactive, or able to react with the human
body to trigger healthy reactions, Patil said.
In watermelons, these include lycopene, beta carotene and
the rising star among its phyto-nutrients – citrulline – whose
beneficial functions are now being unraveled. Among them is
the ability to relax blood vessels, much like Viagra does.
 Scientists
know that when watermelon is consumed, citrulline is converted
to arginine through certain enzymes. Arginine is an amino acid
that works wonders on the heart and circulation system and
maintains a good immune system, Patil said.
“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.
“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.”
The benefits of watermelon don’t end there, he said.
Arginine also helps the urea cycle by removing ammonia and
other toxic compounds from our bodies.
Citrulline, the precursor to arginine, is found in higher
concentrations in the rind of watermelons than the flesh. As
the rind is not commonly eaten, two of Patil’s fellow
scientists, drs. Steve King and Hae Jeen Bang, are working to
breed new varieties with higher concentrations in the flesh.
In addition to the research by Texas A&M, watermelon’s
phyto-nutrients are being studied by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Lane, Oklahoma.
 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.
“Lycopene, which is also found in red grapefruit, was
historically thought to exist only in tomatoes,” he said. “But
now we know that it’s found in higher concentrations in red
watermelon varieties.”
Lycopene, however, is fat-soluble, meaning that it needs
certain fats in the blood for better absorption by the body,
Patil said.
“Previous tests have shown that lycopene is much better
absorbed from tomatoes when mixed in a salad with oily
vegetables like avocado or spinach,” Patil said. “That would
also apply to the lycopene from watermelon, but I realize
mixing watermelon with spinach or avocadoes is a very hard
sell.”
No studies have been conducted to determine the timing of
the consumption of oily vegetables to improve lycopene
absorption, he said.
“One final bit of advice for those Fourth of July
watermelons you buy,” Patil said. “They store much better
uncut if you leave them at room temperature. Lycopene levels
can be maintained even as it sits on your kitchen floor. But
once you cut it, refrigerate. And enjoy.”
Editor's note: Since the chemical is most
concentrated in the rind, we suggest you try the following
recipes which use watermelon rind as an ingredient.
 Related Recipes
Watermelon Relish (pictured)
Old-fashioned watermelon pickles
Cooking Good
in Greene Main Index |
