How Watermelon Improves Sex

Who doesn’t love watermelon? It’s the quintessential summer fruit, a favorite at picnics, and healthy for you. Recently, I ran across one of the smallest watermelons I’ve ever seen. Although it was smaller than a coffee mug, it wasn’t short on taste at all. It got me thinking about all the different varieties there are of this great fruit.

There are icebox watermelons, mini watermelons, seedless watermelons, and yellow watermelons. They grow in a long oval shape most of the time but can be round like a cantaloupe. The outer rind can be of a deep green color or striped light and dark green.

How do you choose a watermelon? Of course I’ve seen plenty of people thumping melons in the grocery store, but I found it to be a waste of time. In all my years I’ve never tasted a bad watermelon. Basically, I look for a dark green rind and make sure the skin isn’t broken. Some melons may be sweeter than others, but I’ve never tasted a bad watermelon. My biggest complaint is that there can be too many seeds, but it’s great fun to see how far you can spit them — outside of course.

Of course we value the watermelon for its sweet pink fruit, but scientists are finding that the rind may be more important. Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, says watermelon may have Viagra-like effects.

ScienceDaily reports the following–

“Beneficial ingredients in watermelon and other fruits and vegetables are known as phyto-nutrients, naturally occurring compounds that are bioactive, or able to react with the human body to trigger healthy reactions, Patil said.

In watermelons, these include lycopene, beta carotene and the rising star among its phyto-nutrients – citrulline – whose beneficial functions are now being unraveled. Among them is the ability to relax blood vessels, much like Viagra does.

Scientists know that when watermelon is consumed, citrulline is converted to Arginine through certain enzymes. Arginine is an amino acid that works wonders on the heart and circulation system and maintains a good immune system, Patil said.

The citrulline-Arginine relationship helps heart health, the immune system and may prove to be very helpful for those who suffer from obesity and type 2 diabetes,” said Patil. “Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it.”

Don’t you love it when you find a new use for an old favorite? Even the rind of the watermelon can be used. Since the watermelon is technically a member of the gourd family like the cucumber, you can add some spices and pickle the rind. Pickled rind can be eaten by itself or used as a garnish.

Every part of your watermelon can be used. You shouldn’t have anything to throw away but the seeds.

Resource: Meal Planning Made Simple