(04-05-11) Watermelons lower blood pressure as well as statins and provide many other benefits

(NaturalNews) Elevated blood pressure (hypertension) is common for many of us
from time to time and it has often been the practice of doctors to treat high
blood pressure by prescribing dangerous statin drugs. Now, researchers have
found that healthy watermelons can do just as good of a job without all the
nasty side effects which have been linked to statin drugs.

In a study just published in the American Journal of Hypertension, food
scientists at Florida State University found that consumption of six grams of L-
citrulline extract from watermelon extract for six weeks normalized the blood
pressure of all nine adults in the study who previously had elevated blood
pressure.

"We are the first to document improved aortic hemodynamics in pre-hypertensive
but otherwise healthy middle-aged men and women receiving therapeutic doses of
watermelon," said Dr. Arturo Figueroa, lead researcher of the new study. "These
findings suggest that this 'functional food' has a vasodilatory effect, and one
that may prevent prehypertension from progressing to full-blown hypertension, a
major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes," added Figueroa

The large watermelon fruit is the richest edible source of the amino acid L-
citrulline, which regulates healthy blood pressure. L-citrulline is converted
to another amino acid, L-arginine, once in the body. However, taking L-arginine
as a dietary supplement can cause nausea, gastrointestinal problems and
diarrhea, especially among adults who already suffer from raised blood
pressure.

"Individuals with increased blood pressure and arterial stiffness - especially
those who are older and those with chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes -
would benefit from L-citrulline in either the synthetic or natural (watermelon)
form," Figueroa said.

Helping lower and control blood pressure is just one of many health benefits
for the large summertime favorite. Watermelons have the highest water content
of any fruit and, in addition to being a supreme thirst quencher, are excellent
sources of several vitamins: vitamin A, an antioxidant which helps maintain eye
health; vitamin C, which strengthens immunity, heals wounds, prevents cell
damage, and promotes healthy teeth and gums; and vitamin B6, which helps brain
function and helps convert protein to energy.

Tomatoes have been highly advertised as a great source for lycopene, a
powerful antioxidant that helps fight heart disease and several types of
cancer, especially prostate cancer. Watermelon, however, has the highest
concentrations of lycopene of any fresh fruit or vegetable.

Watermelons also have plenty of thiamine, magnesium, and potassium which are
all vital for optimal health. Thus if your children, or perhaps yourself, are
reluctant to dig into spinach, other dark green leafy vegetables or lima beans
on a regular basis, servings of watermelon would be a very healthy substitute -
and would make a healthy addition at any rate.

Watermelons help muscle and nerve function and help maintain the body's proper
electrolyte and acid-base balance. They also reduce the risk of colon cancer,
asthma, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Watermelons are also excellent
for kidney health as it can both flush the kidneys and dissolve kidney stones.
One of the most popular and effective natural remedies for kidney stones is a
tea made from watermelon seeds, though often the juice alone in plentiful
quantities will do the trick.

A good one way to cleanse both the colon and the kidneys is to go an entire
day consuming nothing but watermelon. Besides flushing the kidneys it will also
usually clean out the colon as well - so well, in fact, that a good piece of
advice is to not stray too far from available toilet facilities from about mid-
afternoon on when doing a watermelon flush.

Sources included:

http://www.wddty.com/watermelon-as-...
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com...
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/fo...
http://healthmad.com/nutrition/10-h...
http://www.naturalnews.com/028828_k...


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