Scientists believe the fruit could help boost blood flow to the penis and prevent impotence
WATERMELON could be a natural treatment for erectile dysfunction because it could help boost blood flow to the penis, say experts.
The fruit has various health benefits, including the narrowing of blood vessels, a condition that is usually associated to diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is a common condition for many men and while some men choose Viagra to treat it, scientists are now recommending watermelon.
The reason being is that the watermelon contains the amino acid citrulline, which can help ‘relax’ the blood vessels, making it a suitable natural treatment.
Lily Soutter, Nutritionist at lilysoutternutrition.com said: “Watermelons have now been coined as nature’s Viagra.
“Research has shown that these effects are down to their high concentrations of an amino acid called citrulline.
“When consumed, citrulline is converted into the amino acid arginine, which boosts nitric oxide – the responsible agent for relaxing and dilating blood vessels.
“This effect can improve blood flow to the penis, which is just how Viagra works to treat or prevent erectile dysfunction.”
In 2011 a scientific study found that consuming citrulline had a “significant positive impact” for men suffering with mild impotence.
The participants, who struggled with mild erectile dysfunction, were given a placebo for one month and a citrulline supplement for the next one.
Researchers asked them to record the hardness of their erection and the amount of times they had sex over the two month period.
Of the 24 patients studied, who were an average age of 56, the results showed: “The improvement in the erection hardness score from three – mild erectile dysfunction to four – normal erectile function – occurred in 2 (8.3 per cent) of the 24 men when taking placebo and 12 (50 per cent) of the 24 men when taking L-citrulline.”
Scientists said the L-citrulline supplements were proved to be “safe” and “well accepted” by the patients who took part.
And unlike Viagra, which can give users a warmth of redness in the face, neck or check, headaches, nausea, diarrhoea and sometimes loss of hearing or dizziness, watermelons have no side effects.
Lily said: “Watermelon is a great alternative for those who are not medically fit to take erectile dysfunction medications.”
NHS Choices said: “Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition, particularly in older men. It is estimated that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will have it to some degree.”
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