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Several people have asked me about a news piece a week or so ago about watermelon having Viagra-like effects.  Is it really true?  I heard that you have to eat the rind to get that?  Alright, settle down everyone.  Here’s the deal.  Viagra increases nitric oxide levels and relaxes blood vessels to allow for more blood flow.  Remember, it was first tested as a blood pressure medication and angina.  What we use it for now, is a side effect.  And by we, I mean other men, not me.

Now, watermelon has something called citrulline in it.  When you eat a large amount of citrulline, your body converts it over to arginine.  Arginine increases nitric oxide that relaxes blood vessels, similar to Viagra.  A scientist made a statement to a news crew that watermelon relaxes blood vessels he same way that Viagra does to treat erectile dysfunction.  The scientist just happened to work for Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center.

I wouldn’t count on any Viagra-like effects from eating watermelon.  In order to increase your arginine levels at all, you’d have to eat six cups of watermelon.  Even that little boost of arginine is not going to have much effect, and it won’t have any effect, down there.  And besides, if you could eat enough watermelon to have any effect, it is so full of water, you’ll be heading to the bathroom so often you’ll kill the mood even if it did work.

That being said, watermelon is good for you and there is a little bit of citrulline and arginine in there to lower blood pressure.  I don’t think there is enough in watermelon to make any difference though.  And the sugar content is pretty high also so eating too much could play havoc with your blood sugar and throw your insulin level up a bit.  If you are going to eat watermelon, enjoy it on a hot summer day, maybe with your kids, see who can spit the seeds the furthest, don’t expect anything special.  Oh, the rind does have more citrulline in it, but the red part taste better anyway, and it’s still not going to do anything for you.

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