Watermelon to Lower Blood Pressure

Watermelon to Lower Blood Pressure

Overview

Dig your teeth into a thick and juicy slice of watermelon, and you'll remember why you love this fruit so much. Not only is watermelon refreshing and tasty, but it also has some serious health benefits, thanks to its special nutrients, one of which might help those with hypertension, or high blood pressure.

Evidence

A study conducted at Florida State University in 2010 found beneficial effects of an amino acid inside watermelon on arterial functioning and blood pressure. This study took nine pre-hypertensive subjects and administered the amino acid citrulline every day for six weeks. At the end of the study, all of the subjects saw a reduction in blood pressure.

Mechanism

Of all the foods, watermelon contains the most citrulline. When inside the body, this amino acid transforms into another amino acid, arginine, which facilitates the production of nitric oxide, a substance tied to blood pressure regulation and blood vessel health.

Availability

The amino acid arginine is available as a supplement, but it comes with potentially unpleasant side effects. Arginine can cause stomach problems, nausea and diarrhea. The ability to take arginine as a food is very beneficial for many. Ideally, you should consume 4 to 6 grams per day to help lower blood pressure, the study recommends.

Other Nutrients

Watermelon also includes a whole host of vitamins and minerals that benefit your health, including vitamin C, an antioxidant vitamin that plays a role in reducing blood pressure. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, evidence shows that vitamin C improves the health of arteries, which can account for a reduction in blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

source : livestrong.com