July 3, 2008 Keep an eye on the older men at the
Fourth of July picnic. They may be gobbling down an unusual amount of
watermelon. A new study, however, suggests this fruit may become more
popular around Valentines Day, since it discovered watermelon has
ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects to the body's blood vessels
and may even increase libido. And, as a special bonus, it is also good
for the heart.
"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&M's Fruit and
Vegetable Improvement Center in College Station.
"We've 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 it's a great way to relax blood vessels
without any drug side-effects."
The benefits of watermelon don't 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 Patil's 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,
watermelon's phyto-nutrients are being studied by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service in Lane, Oklahoma.
Watermelon also great for the heart
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 it's 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."
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Older men frequent victims of both diseases
should be on the alert