I saw this headline
...and thought, "Yeah, make some watermelon jokes NOW, muhfuggas!"
Truthfully, it ain't really like that.
Found in the flesh and rind of watermelons, citrulline reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed in large quantities 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."
And it turns out watermelon has all these other effects
The nitric oxide can also help with angina, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems, according to the study, which was paid for by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ...
Watermelon is a diuretic and was a homeopathic treatment for kidney patients before dialysis became widespread. ...
The relationship between citrulline and arginine might also prove helpful to those who are obese or suffer from type-2 diabetes. The beneficial effects _ among them the ability to relax blood vessels, much like Viagra does _ are beginning to be revealed in research.
The down side?
"The problem you have when you eat a lot of watermelon is you tend to run to the bathroom more," Perkins-Veazie said.
There's another down side
One would need to eat about six cups of watermelon to get enough citrulline to boost the body's arginine level.
...but in my experience, you get a barbeque popping on a hot day a bunch of folks will get the necessary dose. So sisters, y'all may want to ration the watermelon on days you have a headache.
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