Chemical In Rind Relaxes Blood Vessels


POSTED: 10:37 am CDT July 2, 2008

People often eat watermelon to cool down, but it could help get you heated up, in one way.

Researchers at Texas A&M University said that a substance in the rind of the fruit may relax blood vessels in a manner similar to Viagra, the popular erectile-dysfunction drug.

The substance is a phytochemical called citrulline, according to a news release from the school.

By helping the body create a certain protein called arginine, watermelon has other positive effects, said Dr. Bhimu Patil of the school's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center.

"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.

So while the substance may be able to help in some cases of impotence, it also could ease angina or high blood pressure, Patil said.

"Watermelon may not be as organ specific as Viagra," Patil said, "but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects."

Other scientists at Texas A&M are working to engineer watermelons with a higher amounts of citrulline in the flesh, which is more commonly eaten.

The release from the university did not say if the amounts that a person could reasonably eat would have any noticeable effect. Often, reports of benefits from certain compounds in foods are based on highly concentrated amounts given to animals, rather than clinical evidence in people.

Ok watch the mad dash for the grocery store. The will be sold out of watermelons

Interesting. At least there wouldn't be any serious side effects like the possibility of an elongated erection. Or bleeding. Or death...or...all those other bodily misfortunes that seem to come along with those pills.

note to self, buy watermelon. >.>

its good for ass cancer

luv4u said:

I just ordered 40

funkpill said:

Does the emoticon imply that you may need some melons ?

Steadwood said:

I need not ask you the question I just asked funkpill .

now that's funny and its not even friday
[Edited 7/2/08 16:07pm]

Serious said:

This isn't a serious question is it? You're confusing fried chicken (Orgasmic.) with watermelon for the Black Man's Aphrodisiac.

funkpill said:

Hey it's your thread, it's got to be funky I mean funny .

Serious said:

Steadwood said:

Take it like a man. Oops sorry, maybe not the best choice of words .

Serious said:

Hey!....er...

...ahem...

(In deep masculine voice)...

...Hey!

Steadwood said:

Feeling better?

Serious said:

Yeah... I've just had a melon

Steadwood said:

39 to go .

Wow! That's some pretty interesting stuff there. Good for obesity and type 2 diabetes? I think my fam needs more watermelon in their diet. Me too for that matter, although I've been on a cantaloupe binge lately.

Serious said:

I'm gonna be knackered by the end of the week








edit
[Edited 7/2/08 16:32pm]

funkpill said:

watermelon sends my son hyper

prb said:

BOING!

Mysterioso said:

he is only 9

Then why not simply buy some L-arginine instead of eatings tons of watermelon? Fucking on a stomach full of watermelon doesn't sound cool and that shit just makes you pee a lot. Maybe cool if you're into watersports...

eikonoklastes said:

i was on a watermelon diet for a couple weeks and it does make you pee alot

now Im on a pudding pop diet

horatio said:

OH!!! OH!!!

that's another topic

Another reason to have nice cold watermelon ready to eat right after sex.

horatio said:

I am now craving one!!! I haven't had those in YEARS!!!

luv4u said:

funkpill said:

They still make pudding pops? Where?!

ZombieKitten said: