Dear Reader,
I'm not going to lie. I can get a bit of a sweet tooth every now and then.
Of course, I try to stick to satisfying it with healthy choices — fresh fruits, sometimes a little dark chocolate.
I was happy to learn that one of my favourite summertime treats — a big slice of ripe watermelon — could actually be even better for me than I thought it was!
I knew about the fibre and nutrients, but new research has added another benefit to the list — lower blood pressure.
In the first study of its kind in humans, US researchers at Florida State University found that watermelon may be a potent fighter of pre-hypertension, which can lead to heart disease.
Nine participants took 6g of two amino acids from watermelon extract, L-citrulline and L-arginine, every day for six weeks. Researchers found that the amino acids led to improved arterial function, which resulted in lowered aortic blood pressure — in every single one of the participants.
The lead researcher on the study was impressed enough to say that watermelon could prevent pre hypertension from progressing to hypertension — which could be very good news for people whose doctors want to put them on drugs as a prevention measure.
So why is watermelon such a powerful heart protector? The amino acid L-citrulline is closely related to L-arginine, which is essential for forming the nitric oxide that keeps blood pressure at a healthy level. L-citrulline is converted into L-arginine in the body.
Why not just take L-arginine as a supplement? Well — it's not very well tolerated, and can cause GI trouble and diarrhoea. Watermelon, on the other hand, is perfectly safe and well tolerated. In fact, the participants in the study didn't report a single side effect.
Plus, there are all of the other benefits of watermelon — vitamins A, B6, and C, fibre, potassium, lycopene (which can also aid in maintaining healthy blood pressure)...and other research shows that watermelon could even help manage blood sugar.
Researchers say that watermelon or watermelon extract is the best natural source for L-citrulline, but that you can also get it in pills — in a synthetic form. It's best to go natural, and the best dose, according to the Florida State University team, is 4 to 6 grams per day. Of course, you should consult with a doctor skilled in natural medicine to find the best dose for you.
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