Put Viagra Aside, Have Some Watermelon

By Anna Boyd
14:10, July 3rd 2008
97 votes
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Put Viagra Aside, Have Some Watermelon

As the watermelon season has just begun, there couldn’t have been better news for those enjoying a slice of the fruit, especially when talking about men. But not all men. Just those using Viagra!

New research coming from Texas A&M University researchers reveals that the active ingredient in watermelon, citrulline may have effects similar to Viagra.

How is that possible? Well, this ingredient is responsible for producing an amino acid known as arginine that helps relax the body’s blood vessels. The same thing happens when a man takes a Viagra pill to treat erectile dysfunction or even to prevent it.

“Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but it’s a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects,” Bhimu Patil, a researcher and director of Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, one of the nation’s top producers of the seedless variety, said as quoted by the Associated Press.

Besides citrulline, watermelon also has another beneficial ingredient: lycopene, an anti-oxidant that protects the human heart, prostate and skin health.

However good this news seems, men should not expect to keep the fireworks all night long. “It sounds like it would be an effect that would be interesting but not a substitute for any medical treatment,” Todd Wehner, a researcher of watermelon breeding at North Carolina State University, said.

How much watermelon is needed to have some visible signs, one might ask? Well, Penelope Perkins-Veazie, a U.S. Department of Agriculture researcher, said one would need to eat about six cups of watermelon to get enough citrulline to boost the body’s arginine level and to have the desired effect.

But, of course, the “magic” would be ruined by the expected bathroom visits, as anyone knows watermelon is a great diuretic. And, as if this is not enough, the high amount of sugar in the watermelon might also cause cramping, and further discomfort.

One thing is for sure: however good watermelon may be for men’s potency, it really can stand in the way of love if eaten in high quantities and ruin your big night. That might happen when the results are expected suddenly. As for those usually enjoying a slice of watermelon every day, the results will surely be visible in time and not only when it comes to potency, but also for their general health.



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