7.7.2008 9:12 AM

You Shouldn’t Eat in Bed

But You Might Want to Dine on Watermelon Before Heading into the Bedroom

Photo: Marie-france Belanger / Istock

By Annie Bell Muzaurieta

What better way to beat hot, sticky summer weather than with a refreshing slice of watermelon?

Turns out, the melon might be heating up things inside the house.

Researchers say watermelon has similar effects to Viagra, according to Discovery. Scientists in Texas said watermelons contain an ingredient called citrulline that can trigger production of a compound that helps relax the body's blood vessels, similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra.

When citrulline reacts with the body's enzymes, it is changed into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart and the circulatory and immune systems.

Bhimu Patil, a researcher and director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, is quoted in the article: "Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it. Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects."

Citrulline is found in the flesh and rind of watermelons, and there is about 60 percent more in the rind. We'll have to wait and see if there is an increase in the consumption of the whole fruit.

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