Watermellon = Viagra?

Back around Valentine’s Day I remember reading that color red helps get the libido moving. That was based on a recent study that men find women sexier if they're wearing red.

Now with the 4th of July a few days away there was some other research that is interesting also. It seems that if you are planning to have watermelon at your annual July 4th cookout, researchers say it has Viagra like effects … but I don’t think we should throw away the little blue pills quite yet.

Citrulline is an ingredient in watermelons that can trigger production of a compound that helps relax the body's blood vessels, like what happens when a man takes Viagra, according to scientists in Texas, where many of the seedless variety come from.It is found in the flesh and rind of watermelons, and reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed in large quantities.

This is then changed into arginine, an amino acid which helps the heart, circulatory and immune systems.

The researchers at Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center say Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, which is the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it. Bhimu Patil, a researcher and director also said that "Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects."

Other researchers at North Carolina State, find the results interesting but advised that anyone taking Viagra shouldn't expect the same result from watermelon.

The nitric oxide can also help with angina, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems, according to the study, which was paid for by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It seems that around 60% of the citrulline is contained in watermelon rind more than in the flesh, and is found in all colors of watermelon. Yellow-fleshed types are the highest according to Penelope Perkins-Veazie, a USDA researcher in Lane, Okla.

She said Patil's research is valid, but with a caveat: One would need to eat about six cups of watermelon to get enough citrulline to boost the body's arginine level, and with that much watermelon, you tend to run to the bathroom more.

Watermelon is also a diuretic used as a homeopathic treatment for kidney patients before dialysis became widely used.The relationship between citrulline and arginine might also be useful to type-2 diabetics or if you are obese. The benefits may include the ability to relax blood vessels, much like Viagra does.

We will need to see if this is true as more studies and research becomes known.