Found in the flesh and rind of watermelons, citrulline reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed and is changed into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart, and the circulatory and immune systems.
"Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it," said Bhimu Patil, a researcher and director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center. "Watermelon may not be as organ specific as Viagra, but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side-effects."
The nitric oxide also can help with angina, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems, according to Patil.
Side effects, you go to the bathroom more because watermelon is a diuretic and was a homeopathic treatment for kidney patients before dialysis became widespread and it adds a lot of sugar into your system.
Beats some of the side effects from the medications seen advertised on television just about every hour on the hour though.
The buzzkill comes from Todd Wehner, who studies watermelon breeding at North Carolina State University, who says, "It sounds like it would be an effect that would be interesting but not a substitute for any medical treatment."
You would also have to eat a whole heck of a lot of it to have any effect on boosting the body's arginine level.
Still....interesting.
.
