Nutrient-Rich Watermelon Lowers Blood Pressure

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.Individuals who add watermelon to their diets may improve their cardiovascular health because the low-calorie, high-fiber, nutrient-rich melon has been found to lower blood pressure, according to new research from Florida State University.

The findings, published in American Journal of Hypertension, found that when six grams of the amino acids L-citrulline/L-arginine from watermelon extract were administered daily for six weeks, arterial function was improved and aortic blood pressure lowered in all nine of their pre-hypertensive subjects.

Watermelon is the richest edible natural source of L-citrulline, which is closely related to L-arginine, the amino acid required for the formation of nitric oxide essential to the regulation of vascular tone and healthy blood pressure," FSU Assistant Professor Arturo Figueroa said. Once in the body, the L-citrulline is converted into L-arginine.

In addition to the vascular benefits of citrulline, watermelon provides abundant vitamin A, B6, C, fiber, potassium and lycopene. Watermelon may even help to reduce serum glucose levels, the researchers said.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States," Professor Bahram H. Arjmandi said. Generally, Americans have been more concerned about their blood cholesterol levels and dietary cholesterol intakes rather than their overall cardiovascular health risk factors leading to CVD, such as obesity and vascular dysfunction characterized by arterial stiffening and thicknessissues that functional foods such as watermelon can help to mitigate."