Posted on 06/30/2008 2:54:17 PM PDT by decimon
COLLEGE STATION -- 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 Valentines Day.
Thats because scientists say watermelon has ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects to the bodys 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&Ms Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center in College Station.
Weve 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 its a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side-effects.
The benefits of watermelon dont 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 Patils 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, watermelons phyto-nutrients are being studied by the U.S. Department of Agricultures 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 its 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.
My wife will not have a problem with this.
,
Yup!
“I wuz in the pool! I wuz in the pool!”
“Shrinkage!”
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UPS just dropped off my toasted coconut mix - time to crank up the blender!
OK. I’m off to HEB ...
Or is that woman?
My pager never sounds. Never knew it actually did! I’ve been melon-balled!
Lol, no comment there.
You need some rum and pineapple juice to go with that coconut mix. PINA COLODA TIME!!
I know how you get one with so few seeds! >>>
[My pager never sounds. Never knew it actually did! ]
Good grief!! It makes a ding dong sound, I am lost without it. I checked all my audio settings and went into my java without changing a thing and now it’s working again.
Check your java, and I don’t mean coffee, lol.
$5 on sale at my Grocery store last week.
Diurnal is daily.
Many people diurnally down diuretics and can't dilly dally. Dig?
NOW I do!!!
I just got the word play...didn’t realize it was a real word!!!
I comes here t’ learn!
A little watermelon and some stubble will fix anyone right up!
Bender... thought this might be of “use” to you.
Isn't stubble a diuretic? ;-)
I be learnin all ways AND diurnally!
Here’s a good one for the Gardening List!!!!
I’ve got 8 more watermelon plants going in tomorrow!!!!
LOL! Good one!!!!!!!!!
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