The nutritional properties of watermelon, as a fruit, have been identified and recognized many years ago. Watermelon has been a part of the mediterranean diet for thousands of years. It’s a fruit however, the properties of which are still being discovered. It is only recently that we have identified the correlation between watermelon, our heart, Viagra and sex!
Watermelon does not seize to pleasantly surprise us as more and more research done in this direction which identifies more and more nutritional and healthy oriented benefits than those we used to know so far. It should be noted that due to international trade watermelon is no longer a summer fruits since it can be found in supermarkets all year round.
The Phytochemicals elements contained watermelon include lycopene among others, beta-carotene and citrulline. Citrulline is an amino acid the name of which comes from the Latin name of watermelon. The nutrients found in watermelon and other fruits or vegetables, act on the human body by promoting beneficial effects of various types and of different nature.
In regards to lycopene and beta-carotene found in watermelon there have already been many studies which demonstrated their beneficial effects. It is now with recent studies that we have begun to uncover the important benefits of citrulline in various systems of the human body.
When we eat watermelon the citrulline that we take is converted by enzymes in our body to arginine. Arginine is an amino acid which has a particularly beneficial effect on the heart and on the circulatory and immune system of the body. Arginine increases nitric acid levels in our body which has the ability to relax and dilate blood vessels. It thus has a similar effect to that of Viagra (sildenafil). Sildenafil citrate is sold as Viagra, a drug that treats erectile dysfunction and arterial hypertension.
The relaxation and dilation of blood vessels in the circulatory system that citrulline offers through arginine does not focus more on the sexual system like Viagra does. Therefore one should not expect the watermelon to have the same effects and results as those from the use of Viagra even though there some studies or beliefs which indicate some kind of correlation of watermelon consumption and sexual desire. It should also be stressed that one needs to eat a significant amount of watermelon until he or she observes a rise of arginine in the blood. This amount is estimated to be contained in 6 cups of watermelon.
There are many organic and psychological factors which cause erectile dysfunction. The increase of nitric acid caused by citrulline could help people who need increased blood flow in arteries. For this reason, the consumption of watermelon which has the properties and ability to increase nitric acid in our body eventually could help, at least in part, not only in the erection problems but in the prevention or treatment of high blood pressure, angina and other cardiovascular problems.
The positive effects of watermelon through arginine are not limited in the sexual life arena, or of the heart and arteries. They extend to the metabolic urea cycle by helping body elimination of ammonia and other toxic compounds. This is an important function of our body and frees our body from unwanted toxic compound remains. Lycopene present in red watermelon is in greater concentrations in watermelon than in tomato. Lycopene is an antioxidant that has protective effects on the heart, prostate and skin. Citrulline is inside the red part of the watermelon but it can also be found in the watermelon skin in higher concentrations. Based on these findings scientists are trying to develop varieties of watermelon where the red inner part of the fruit is richer in citrulline than the skin since the latter cannot be eaten.
Citrulline can be found in other fruits or vegetables such as cantaloupe melon and cucumber but the concentration of citrulline in these fruits and vegetables is much lower.
We see that the watermelon has nutritive phytochemicals that can help us in several areas of our health and wellness. Watermelon does not replace any medication such as Viagra. But it can be a key element in a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean Diet, and it will contribute over time to a better physical and mental health
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