Watermelon 'has same effect as Viagra'

[IndianaGreen]

This story is from 2008, but it is still relevant.

Watermelon 'has same effect as Viagra'

By Tulip Mazumdar
Newsbeat health reporter

Eating watermelon has a similar effect on the body to Viagra, according to researchers in the US.

It's down to a chemical called citrulline which is found in the juicy fruit.

Citrulline is an organic compound which affects the body's blood vessels in the same way as the sex enhancement pills.

It helps relax the blood vessels which means blood gets around the body more easily.

The research comes from the US' Texas Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Centre.

Dr Bhimu Patil led the research. He said: "We've always known that watermelon is good for you, but the list of its very important healthful benefits grows longer with each study.

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

It's also claimed watermelons are good for your heart and immune system.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/health/newsid_7498000/7498061.stm

[madaboutharry]

1. By Tuesday,

all the supermarkets will be out of watermelon.

[geckosfeet]

2. I am stocking up now. Storing it right next to my ammo stockpile.

[jwirr]

3. And the price will be sky high.

[buddysmellgood]

4. Shwing

[Bluzmann57]

5. Watermelon. The perfect food.

There has to be a reason that it is a universally loved fruit. It's tasty and has the same effect as Viagra. What more could a guy want?

[Gidney N Cloyd]

6. Anyone up for a seed spitting contest?

[Odin2005]

22. You did NOT just say that!!!

:rofl:

[n2doc]

7. Gives a new meaning to "melon cannon"

http://www.townoflaverne.com/pages/melon_cannon.html

[Cirque du So-What]

8. I've seen home remedies that tout watermelon as helpful for kidneystones

One of the methods called for sitting in a hot bath while consuming mass quantities of watermelon. If I ever have a recurrence of 'stones, I may give it a try.

[lurky]

9. I've eaten a lot of watermelon and

I haven't noticed any unusual ... (ahem, cough) ... "relaxation" of my blood vessels.

:shrug:

Maybe I haven't been eating enough. Anybody know what the "therapeutic dose" of watermelon might be? :P

[billh58]

19. I heard the same

thing about oysters, and I soon proved that rumor false. I ate a dozen oysters one evening, and only four of them worked.

[Golden Raisin]

10. "And the list of its very important

healthful benefits grows longer with each study." Uh-huh. And bigger and lasts longer too.

[MindPilot]

11. Should I call my doctor if my watermelon lasts more than 4 hours?

Is that a watermelon in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?

:hide:

[corpseratemedia]

12. .

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:


I love watermelon, I just don't think it'll fit.

[MindPilot]

13. No worries; I've been seedless since 1978...

[aquart]

14. Oh, sure. Just when I become allergic to it.

My blood vessels need relaxing just like everybody else's!

[appamado amata padam]

15. "...grows longer with each study."

Heh-heh, heh-heh. :-)

[Rageneau]

16. Boy, it's hard not to make a wholly inappropriate, racist joke here.

Thank God no one knows what I mean.

If they did, they would be racist, too.

[Indenturedebtor]

17. Hmmmm wonder if it works on girls too? Care for a watermelon martini ladies? n/t

[Cobalt-60]

18. I love watermeleon

But I must say it has never produced more than a long series of yummy sounds
as I devoured its refrigerated flesh...
Of course the regular and steady infusions might be why I don't need the pills!

[Vidar]

20. Swallowing a watermelon could be hazardous to your health.

[Odin2005]

21. ROFL!

[tinrobot]

23. Hey, Seinfeld was right...

They did an episode called "The Mango" in which mangoes cure George's impotence.

[sspeilbergfan90]

24. Time to stock up, then.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

25. Maybe if you cut a hole in it and stick it in the microwave for a minute.