Bhimu Patil, PhD, director of the Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center at Texas A&M University.
Credit: Texas A & M University | ©Texas A & M University
"Watermelon as Viagra:" Another Example of Irresponsible Reporting?
First it was oysters; then came the arrival of the most widely touted drug since penicillin, Viagra. Now, according to media reports, watermelon could be the latest weapon in the "war" against erectile dysfunction (ED, defined as the ability to attain or maintain an erection).
Unfortunately, such claims are not supported by scientific evidence.
According to press reports Bhimu Patil, PhD, director of the Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center at Texas A&M University stated that watermelon could become a natural food or dietary supplement in the treatment of ED because it happens to contain a chemical that appears to be essential to the body's ability to relax or constrict its blood vessels (see note 1).
Dr. Patil based his conclusions on the previously known fact that watermelon is known to contain the amino acid citrulline, which the body metabolizes into another amino acid called arginine, which in turn produces a chemical called nitrous oxide that the body uses to relaxes and dilates blood vessels.
Viagra and other drugs used to treat ED work, in part, by temporarily increasing the level of nitrous oxide in the bloodstream.
What the Original News Item Stated:
The following statements by Dr. Patil are taken verbatim from the original posting at the Texas A & M AgriLife web pages (see note 2):
"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 ... 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."
It must be pointed out that nowhere in the original story does Dr. Patil cite clinical research (research conducted on human volunteers) that supports the media contention that eating watermelon would be of any benefit effect in the treatment of ED. In other words, Dr. Patil was speculating.
Unfortunately, such claims are not supported by scientific evidence.
According to press reports Bhimu Patil, PhD, director of the Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center at Texas A&M University stated that watermelon could become a natural food or dietary supplement in the treatment of ED because it happens to contain a chemical that appears to be essential to the body's ability to relax or constrict its blood vessels (see note 1).
Dr. Patil based his conclusions on the previously known fact that watermelon is known to contain the amino acid citrulline, which the body metabolizes into another amino acid called arginine, which in turn produces a chemical called nitrous oxide that the body uses to relaxes and dilates blood vessels.
Viagra and other drugs used to treat ED work, in part, by temporarily increasing the level of nitrous oxide in the bloodstream.
What the Original News Item Stated:
The following statements by Dr. Patil are taken verbatim from the original posting at the Texas A & M AgriLife web pages (see note 2):
"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 ... 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."
It must be pointed out that nowhere in the original story does Dr. Patil cite clinical research (research conducted on human volunteers) that supports the media contention that eating watermelon would be of any benefit effect in the treatment of ED. In other words, Dr. Patil was speculating.
Comments
hmm I thought it was cucumbers for E.D? sorry bad one :P
Half the 'pregnant' women you see are really just shoplifting watermelons for their lovers. Keep ringing the bells of truth, Prof. McDonald!
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