Men hoping for some fireworks in their beds this year may want to skip the burgers and beer at the barbecue and eat plenty of watermelons instead.
Yes, watermelon.
It turns out, watermelon may be a natural Viagra, says multiple researchers. That's because the popular summer fruit is richer than experts believed in an amino acid called citrulline, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels much like Viagra and other drugs meant to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Research has also found that this helps increase libido in women.
RELATED: 5 Amazing Facts About Watermelon: Nature's Most Powerful Food
Until recently, many scientists thought most of the citrulline was in the watermelon rind. But now, experts have discovered that there is more citrulline in the edible part than previously believed.
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Why does this work?
The amino acid citrulline is converted into the amino acid arginine. This is a precursor for nitric oxide, and nitric oxide is a blood vessel relaxer that enhances circulation to all your vital parts.
How much watermelon should you eat?
A typical 4-ounce serving of watermelon (about 10 watermelon balls) has about 150 milligrams of citrulline. But you can add it to your drinks, to your salad...almost to any meal.
Beneficial ingredients in watermelon and other fruits and vegetables are known as phytonutrients, naturally occurring compounds that are bioactive, or able to react with the human body to trigger healthy reactions.
In watermelons, these include lycopene, beta carotene and the rising star among its phytonutrients– citrulline – whose beneficial functions are now being unraveled. Among them is the ability to relax blood vessels, much like Viagra does.
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As an added bonus, these studies have also shown that deep red varieties of watermelon have displaced the tomato as the lycopene king. Almost 92 percent of watermelon is water, but the remaining 8 percent is loaded with lycopene, an antioxidant that protects the human heart, prostate and skin health.
How to Make Natural Viagra
Ingredients
- Watermelon
- Lemon
First: Prepare the Watermelon
Grab a large watermelon and slice it open. Slice the flesh of the fruit up until the white rind. Place the watermelon chunks in a blender with some water to help it get going.
FYI: You need to make at least a liter of watermelon slush before doing the next step.
Second: Add in the Lemon Juice
Once you have a liter of watermelon slush, pour it into a large saucepan.
Place the saucepan on the stove on high heat until it starts to boil then lower the heat to a low simmer.
Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the saucepan and mix well.
Third: Reduce the Water Content
Raise the heat to medium-high and allow the watermelon-lemon slush to reduce by almost half of its original volume.
Fourth: Packing for Proper Storage
Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool for at least an hour.
Once the mixture is at room temperature, pour the contents of the pan into a clean and airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
This watermelon-lemon concoction could last up to a month in the refrigerator, and much longer if you were to put it in the freezer.
Note: Do not waste the white part of the watermelon’s rind as it contains a lot of citrullines, which is one of the essential nutrients that you need to help with your ED.
It is also recommended not to add sugar, salt, or any other ingredients as they might affect the efficacy of this concoction.
How to Use This Natural Viagra
The thing that you need to remember about this watermelon-lemon natural Viagra is that you need to consume this on an empty stomach, and early in the morning before you eat breakfast, and early in the evening before you eat dinner.
The ideal amount is around a third of a cup, but if you want to go bigger, you could drink up to half a cup.
What Men Need to Know About ED
Erectile Dysfunction is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. ED can be a total inability to achieve an erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections.
According to recent studies, erectile dysfunction (ED) is highly prevalent across white, Black and Hispanic populations in the United States.
White men age 70 years and older, as well as those suffering from diabetes, were shown to be at greater risk for developing ED, though severe lower urinary tract symptoms were shown to be ED-related in Black men.
Odds decreased in Black men who exercised or had good partner relationships.
RELATED: Five Causes of Erectile Dysfunction You Can Prevent
Other Natural Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction
Learn more about the cause of erectile dysfunction to overcome this sensitive condition. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful:
- Quit smoking: Men who smoke have an increased ED risk
- Check out Asian ginseng: 900 mg of a concentrated herbal extract two or three times a day may improve libido and ability to maintain an erection
- Give ginkgo a go: Take 240 mg a day of a standardized herbal extract to increase blood flow to the penis
- Try Yohimbe and DHEA: With the help of a doctor experienced in these treatments, take an herbal extract of Yohimbe containing 15 to 30 mg a day of yohimbine to increase blood flow, or 50 mg a day of the supplement dehydroepiandrosterone to improve hormone levels
- Get a checkup: ED can be caused by some diseases and may be a side effect of certain medications
- Consider counseling: Psychological issues can be a cause, or an effect, of ED
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
