Watermelon Natural Viagra?

A SINGLE cold watermelon fruit fresh nan is tempting to be a healthy snack. But who would have thought, the fruit of this round of high water levels proved to have remarkable properties are almost similar to the virility drug Viagra.

Researchers from Texas United States as reported by the AP on Thursday (3 / 7), reported that watermelon contains a substance called citrulline. This substance is able to stimulate the production of chemical compounds that help the blood vessels become supple and relaxed as was the case when a man taking Viagra.

Found in the flesh and skin of the watermelon, citrulline reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed in considerable numbers. This substance then changed into arginine, an amino acid similar efficacious for the heart and circulatory system and immunity.

"Arginine trigger the production of nitric oxide, which makes your blood vessels relax, the basic effect that Viagra has, to overcome erectile dysfunction or possibly prevent it," said Bhimu Patil, a researcher and director of Texas A & M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center.

"Watermelon may not be for certain organs such as Viagra, but this is a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects," said Patil.

According to research, more citrulline are found in the skin of the watermelon which is about 60 percent than in the flesh. However, the rates can also vary. Citrulline can also be found in all colors of watermelon and is highest abortion is a kind of yellow watermelon.

Although the findings are quite phenomenal, Todd Wehner, Watermelon researchers at North Carolina State University, argues that anyone who used to mengomsumsi Viagra should not expect to get the same benefits of watermelon.

"It seems that watermelon can give an interesting effect, but this is not a substitute for drug therapy" emphasized Wehner.

While Penelope Perkins-Veazie, researchers United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Lane, Oklahoma, opinion, research conducted by Patil is valid but with one important note. According to him, to get citrulline that can stimulate the body's arginine level, one must take at least six glasses (about 1.4 liters) of watermelon.

"Masalahnyam when eating too much watermelon, you tend to frequent the restroom," added Perkins-Veazie.

Watermelon is a diuretic or indeed increase the speed of formation of urine. Another problem, says Perkins-Veazie, is the sugar content is so great that would overflow into the blood vessels so feared cause cramps.

According to Patil, whose research is funded by USDA, nitric oxide can also help patients with angina, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. Patil and his team berencara continued research to identify mechanisms to reduce the sugar content in watermelon.