Watermelon – a popular summer fruit of striking colors that unmistakably quenches out thirst during the hot days is interesting due to its various characteristics. Even though it contains 92 percent of water, the remaining 8 percent is rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that protects the heart, the prostate, fosters the skin, and can also have a Viagra-like effect on men.
Help with maintaining erection?
Probably the most interesting study related to the effects of watermelon on human health has been published two years ago, and its authors have concluded that watermelon can act as Viagra on men. The scientists have discovered that a watermelon’s ingredient, an amino acid called citrulline, has the same effect on the blood vessels as the “small blue tablet” when it comes to helping men in achieving and maintaining the erection. Citrulline has a similar effect on relaxation and blood vessel expansion as erectile dysfunction drugs.
Before the recent research, it was thought that the watermelon’s crust contains the majority of citrulline. However, the new study has shown that the edible part of a watermelon contains more citrulline than it was previously considered. Nevertheless, the right dose of citrulline and just how much watermelon needs to be digested in order to experience its possible effects on sexual potency remains a mystery. Likewise, the critics of the new study claim that the alleged watermelon’s effects on male potency are hasty and lack sufficient scientific proof.
Watermelon protects the heart
Besides the possibility of improving your sexual life, watermelon is good for your heart, immune system, and persons that suffer from Type 2 diabetes. Watermelon’s positive effects on the heart is also partially based on the effects of the amino acid called citrulline, which has been proven in a study published in a 2007’s edition of a “Nutrition” magazine. After three weeks of a regular watermelon juice intake, the subjects had 22 percent more arginine in their blood.
Amino acid arginine produces nitrogen oxide, which is known to lower the blood pressure, prevents blood coagulation, and protects from heart attack and stroke. Previous studies have shown that high oral intake of arginine cause nausea and digestive disorders, which are not the side effects of the watermelon juice intake, because it does not contain arginine. Rather, watermelon juice contains amino acid citrulline, which is a precursor for the synthesis of arginine.
The coldest watermelon is not the best option
Many people drool over a thought of a well cooled watermelon. The scientists, however, prefer the one kept at a room temperature. During a study, watermelons have been kept for two weeks in temperatures of 5, 13, and 21°C. The amount of red pigment lycopene in a watermelon kept in 5 and 13°C has not changed, but a watermelon that has been kept in a room temperature for two weeks had 40% more lycopene. This is how whole watermelons should be kept, and the ones that have already been opened should be kept in a fridge. If you buy a green watermelon, you should wait a couple of days until it is ripe and full of lycopene.
Nutritional characteristics of a watermelon
It can be said for watermelon that it contains a high nutrient density, because it does not burden the body with excess calories (100g contains only 30 kcal), while providing the body with a multitude of important nutrients at the same time.
Watermelon is an exceptional source of vitamin C. Likewise; it is a good source of vitamins A, B1 and B6, as well as the minerals potassium and magnesium. One cup of watermelon satisfies 24 percent of our daily needs for vitamin C and 11.1 percent of our daily vitamin A needs. It is also extremely valuable because it contains the carotenoid pigment called lycopene, which is twice as strong as the antioxidant called beta carotene.
The research has shown that a watermelon can become even more nutritionally valuable if it is sprayed with potassium during the growth. Spraying watermelons and melons with potassium during their growth increases their sweetness, potassium, vitamin C, and beta carotene levels.
Watermelon’s healing characteristics
Watermelon is not only a tasteful refreshment for the hot summer days. According to the results of scientific studies, watermelon possesses many active substances that soothe inflammations I can help in the prevention of asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.
Watermelon – a source of vitamin C and A
A sweet and succulent watermelon is a treasury of the most important natural antioxidants. It is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A, which, in a watermelon, is mainly present in the form of beta carotene.
The watermelon’s red color originates from the herbal pigments, among which lycopene attracts the most attention. The research has shown that, after three weeks of a regular watermelon juice intake, the levels of strong antioxidants – beta carotene and lycopene in the blood become significantly increased.
The multitude of strong antioxidants from the watermelon travels across the body and neutralizes the free radicals. It is well-known that the free radicals can cause various damages to the bodily structures. For example, they increase the oxidation of cholesterol, which can cause atherosclerosis. Moreover, free radicals participate in the processes that encourage inflammation, which accommodates the occurrence of numerous diseases, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, as well as malignant diseases.
Watermelon’s antioxidant nutrients – vitamin C, beta carotene, and lycopene – are efficient in disabling these dangerous molecules and protecting our organism from disease.
The herbal pigment called lycopene is mainly associated with tomato. It is less known that lycopene is also present in watermelon and mango. Unlike other phytochemicals, which have mainly been researched in the studies that included animals, lycopene has repeatedly been tested on people, which has proven its protective role against several types of cancer.
In studies, the protective role of lycopene is mostly mentioned when it comes to the prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, and lung cancer. Lycopene’s antioxidant function implies the protection of the cell and cell membranes from the damage caused by the activities of free radicals, and stopping that activity is also important in the prevention of the heart disease.