The Sweet Superfood That May Prevent Heart Attacks
Watermelon’s not just for hot summer days anymore—it may help people at risk of heart attack and stroke manage cold weather, according to new research from Florida State University.
“Past research among young men has shown that supplementation with the amino acid L-citrulline can lessen increases in blood pressure during cold pressure tests,” explains Arturo Figueroa, MD, Phd, lead author of the new study. “So we wondered what would happen if we did the same test following supplementation with watermelon extract, a rich natural source of L-citrulline, in older individuals with hypertension.”
People with hypertension are at greater risk of cardiovascular events in cold conditions, when the stress of frosty temperatures causes blood pressure to rise and the heart has to work harder to pump blood.
But daily doses of watermelon extract could help them cope with the chill, suggests Dr. Figueroa. In fact, his team found that six weeks of watermelon extract supplementation helped to reduce strain on participants’ hearts during cold pressure tests.
Watermelon helps to control blood pressure
In the study, published in the American Journal of Hypertension, 13 middle-aged men and women with obesity and high blood pressure took part in the experiment over the course of three months.
For the first six weeks of the study, half of the participants received daily doses of amino acids from watermelon extract, including six grams of L-citrulline and two grams of L-arginine. The other half received a placebo. After six weeks, the participants switched regimens.
To test their tolerance of cold, each participant dipped one hand into 39°F water, while researchers assessed their blood pressure and other vital measures. Following watermelon supplementation, participants experienced fewer increases in blood pressure and less heart strain.
“People could get the same results by eating watermelon fruit if they got the same dose of amino acids,” suggests Figueroa. “But to do that, they would have to eat around 2.3 pounds of watermelon per day.”
Even for the biggest watermelon fan, that’s a tough pill to swallow! L-citrulline supplements may be the better option.
Watermelon has many potential health benefits
On top of lowering blood pressure, some research suggests that watermelon may also help to:
Battle breast cancer, according to research published in the Journal of Medical Science. Using in vitro methods, the investigators found that watermelon juice helped to restrict growth of breast cancer cells. This may reflect the high levels of lycopene, a potent antioxidant, found in watermelon.
Soothe sore muscles, advise researchers from Spain. In a small study reported in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, they found that athletes who drank 500 mL of watermelon juice before exercise experienced reduced recovery heart rates and muscle soreness after 24 hours.
Reduce cholesterol, according to research conducted among mice with diet-induced high cholesterol at the University of Kentucky. After eight weeks, mice that slaked their thirst on watermelon juice had lower body weight and plasma cholesterol concentrations, compared to those that drank water.
Keep you hydrated, counsels Lona Sandon, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern, in Medical News Today. As its name suggests, watermelon is largely made up of water. That means it’s also low in calories, making it a great snack for those watching their weight.
Enjoy Watermelon Safely
Although watermelon offers many potential health benefits, it can also be a source of food borne bugs—such as listeria or salmonella. For safe melon munching, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages consumers to:
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after handling whole melons.
Scrub the surface of melons with a sanitized produce brush under running water and dry them with a clean cloth before cutting.
Eat cut melon right away. If you have leftovers, refrigerate them at 32 -34°F for no more than a week.
Toss cut melon that’s been left at room temperature for more than four hours
Dr. Nadira Mehriban
Assistant Professor & Medical Officer
Department of public health
Source: Yahoo.health
