Every day, we are bombarded with numerous advertisements pushing various drugs to make our quality of life better. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could rely solely on natural cures rather than prescriptive drugs, which may have side affects, to alleviate our aliments?
Take for example the recent research of the use of WATERMELON in lieu of Viagra to cure erectile dysfunction (“ED”). It was reported in CNN Money in the first half of 2007 that sales for Viagra were $816 million! However, the treatment does not come without side affects. On the company’s website the following side affects are listed:
“The most common side effects of VIAGRA are headache, facial flushing, and upset stomach. Less commonly, bluish vision, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light may briefly occur.” The website further states that in some rare cases, men might have a decrease or loss of vision or hearing which may be due in part to taking PDE5 inhibitors, including VIAGRA.
As you continue reading the known side affects, your eyes are drawn to this warning for obvious reasons: “As with any ED tablet, in the rare event of an erection lasting more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical help to avoid long-term injury.” That sounds downright scary.
So, how can your favorite summer treat cure an affliction shared by millions of men? According to Bhimu Patil, PhD, a researcher and director of the Fruits and Vegetable Improvement Center at Texas A& M University, watermelon may be the new Viagra because it is richer in an amino acid called citrulline than experts believed. This amino acid helps to relax and dilate blood vessels similar to Viagra.
His department studies the benefits of food as it pertains to reducing cancer, antioxidants, and other beneficial uses. Their watermelon research found that the rind of the watermelon contains on average 60% higher levels of citulline than the flesh. He believes that scientists may be able to boost the cirtulline concentration in the flesh in the future.
How does this discovery conclude that watermelon contains Viagra like properties? According to the University’s press release, citrulline reacts with the body’s enzymes when consumed in large quantities, and this amino acid is changes into arginine, which benefits both the heart 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 Patil, “Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but it’s a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects.”1
So how much do you need to eat in order for the benefits of watermelon to take affect? When I asked Dr. Patil, he replied this question is still unanswered. He thinks that you would need to consume 6 cups of watermelon; however, he countered that human trials would need to be conducted in order to accurately answer this question.
In the Associated Press’ article, “Scientists: Watermelon yields Viagra-like effects” Penelope Perkins-Veazie USDA researcher in Lane, Oklahoma was interviewed with regard to the watermelon research. She concurred with Patil’s findings and also stated you need to consume 6 cups of watermelon. She added that the downside of this consumption would be frequent trips to the bathroom since watermelon has diuretic properties.2
With every new discovery, there is speculation. Irwin Goldstein, MD, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine indicated “that the research was misleading”. According to Goldstein, men who experience ED have adequate levels of arginine, and thus Patil’s findings would not help this dysfunction. As a caveat, Goldstein has served as a consultant for many companies that make ED drugs.3
In addition, Roger Clemens, DrPH, adjunct professor of pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and a spokesman for the Institute of Food Technologists studied the effects of the amino acid, arginine, as it pertains to the improvement of vascular flow for patients with hardening arteries. However, he has since abandoned this research. He found that his test group had to consume great amounts of watermelon to increase the levels of arginine. In his particular trials, his volunteers had to drink three 8 ounce glasses of watermelon daily for three weeks. Their levels increased 11%.3
To answer whether or not eating watermelon is the miracle treatment for men suffering from ED, Patil hopes that his research will continue to the next level of human trials as well as cultivating watermelons with higher levels of arginine. In order for this to be accomplished, scientists may seek to obtain a grant to further this in human clinical trials.
During our conversation, we spoke about whether or not heirloom varieties could contain higher levels of arginine. I questioned whether or not hybrid watermelons which were cultivated for disease and pest resistance reduced their levels of arginine. He replied that this was something to think about as the research continued.
In any event, eating watermelon has other benefits as well. According to Patil, it helps the urea cycle by removing ammonia and toxic substances from the body. In addition, watermelon contains Lycopene, which is 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 stated. “But now we know that it’s found in higher concentration in red watermelon varieties.” He further states that “Lycopene however is fat-soluble, meaning that it needs certain fats in the blood for better absorption by the body.”1
We joked that you might consider eating peanut butter with your watermelon to gain the lycopene benefits, but that did not sound too appetizing. Perhaps, chocolate covered watermelon? Hmm, there is a thought.
So eat up and enjoy its benefits. Whether or not watermelon can be the magic cure, is food for thought right now but a tasty one at that.
Photo by permission of the watermelon by Edward O’Connor.
Photo by permission of Dr. Patil by Kathleen Phillips.
Resources:
1 Rod Santa Ana “Watermelon May Have Viagra-Effect” AgNews, News and Public Affairs of Texas A & M Agricultural Affairs, June 30, 2008 (accessed July 9, 2008).
2Betsy Blaney, “Scientists: Watermelon yields Viagra-like effects” Associated Press, July 3, 2008, (accessed July 9, 2008.)
3 Kathleen Doheny, “Watermelon: A Natural Viagra?” WebMed Heath News, July 1, 2008 (accessed July 9, 2008)
nadine sellers says
Interesting findings:
the benefits of citrulline, arginine and lycopene do not need to be ED specific to attract attention. nor gender specific,
vein health and free radicals sweeping can clearly improve everyone’s cardiovascular system all the way to extremities.
Green Talk says
Nadine, I agree. These findings are not gender specific so eat your watermelon!
By the way, Nadine’s lastest post on her website is about Strawbale construction, http://greenadine.wordpress.co.....struction/. It is very interesting, so go take a look. Anna
NaturalCureforWarts says
I have never heard of anything like this. However, I have to say that my husband was not supposed to have any children and I made him take barley juice a lot… and carrot juice… and we had a baby within a month of getting married!