Eating watermelons can help reduce blood pressure

Eating watermelons can help reduce blood pressure


(NaturalNews) According to a new study, a pre-hypertensive condition is
one of the major risk factors for serious health threats such as strokes
and heart attacks. However, not too many people are aware that simply
eating watermelons can be very effective in naturally fighting off
pre-hypertension and therefore, considerably lessening the risk for
heart attacks and strokes.

Food scientists from the Florida State University
have discovered that consuming 6 grams of L-citrulline contained in
watermelon extract for a period of six weeks helped normalize the blood
pressure of all the participants in the study (nine adults) who were
previously observed to have raised blood pressure. This recent activity
was reported in The News.

The research

The lead
researcher of the group that conducted the new study, Dr. Arturo
Figueroa, claimed that the team is the first to document the significant
improvements in aortic hemodynamics in middle-aged people (both men and
women) who have been diagnosed to be pre-hypertensive, but are
otherwise healthy, and regularly receiving therapeutic watermelon doses.

To
put it simply, the findings imply that the common watermelon, sometimes
called the "functional food" possesses a vasodilatory effect. Dr.
Figueroa further adds that watermelon consumption can actually keep
pre-hypertension at bay, and prevent it from advancing into a full-blown
case of hypertension; and as previously mentioned, hypertension is the
precursor to more serious health conditions such as strokes and heart
attacks.

The big and usually round in shape watermelon
fruit is not only a refreshing and satisfying treat during hot weather
conditions. It is also known as the richest edible source of
L-citrulline, a type of amino acid that helps promote and regulate
healthy blood pressure. Once it is in the body, L-citrulline is processed and converted into another type of amino acid, L-arginine.

However,
when taken in the form of a dietary supplement, L-arginine can cause
some minor side effects. These include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and
gastrointestinal problems, particularly among adults who may already be
experiencing increased blood pressure at the time of intake.

Dr.
Figueroa further implied that those who have arterial stiffness and
elevated blood pressure - specifically people who have been diagnosed
with various chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes or diabetes
mellitus, or those who are older - have a lot to gain from the intake of
L-citrulline in either its synthetic or natural form.

Its
natural and safer form, of course, is the watermelon; fruit safer
because being natural, it does not come with any unwanted side effects.
This is particularly ideal for the elderly and those with pre-existing
health conditions like those mentioned above. With these facts, people
may see the common watermelon in a different light.

The study discussed above was recently included in the pages of the American Journal of Hypertension.

Source:-
http://www.naturalnews.com/040082_watermelon_functional_foods_hypertension.html