Amino Acids in Watermelon Helps Lower Blood Pressure

Eating watermelon actually helps lower blood pressure. A new study found that certain amino acids found in watermelon are able to lower blood pressure enough to prevent people with prehypertension from developing high blood pressure. With nearly 60 percent of American adults being either prehypertensive or hypertensive, this new finding may make a difference in whether or not they have to live with high blood pressure.

Study on Watermelon and Hypertension

Researchers from Florida State University (FSU) studied the effects of the amino acids L-citrulline and L-arginine found in watermelon on nine study participants who were prehypertensive. In order to be considered prehypertensive, a person has to have a blood pressure reading over 120/80 and lower than 139/89. The study consisted of four men and five women between the ages of 51 and 57. The participants were given six grams of the amino acids each day. After six weeks, the participants all had improved arterial function and lower aortic blood pressure.

Why Watermelon?

Watermelon was chosen because it contains the highest quantities of L-citrulline which, once in the body, converts into L-arginine, an amino acid necessary for the formation of nitric oxide which is essential for the regulation of vascular tone and for healthy blood pressure. L-citrulline is an excellent replacement for L-arginine because L-arginine is not well-tolerated in supplement form, causing uncomfortable side-effects. However, watermelon is tolerated well by most adults. In addition, watermelon supplies essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B6 and C as well as potassium and the antioxidant lycopene.

Healthy Diet Helps Lower Risk Factors of Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and although some emphasis has been placed on overall diet to avoid heart disease, in general most Americans worry more about cholesterol. The researchers believe that people should be equally concerned with obesity, high blood pressure and arterial hardening and thickness - all conditions that might be avoided by eating a proper diet. Adding foods like watermelon to the diet may actually prevent people who are prehypertensive from becoming full-blown hypertensive. Also, supplementation of natural substances such as L-citrulline may also help people from having to go on medication for high blood pressure.

The Mayo Clinic of Rochester, MN agrees that a healthy diet is the best way to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. They recommend the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet which includes eating a variety of healthy foods including 4-6 servings of fruit each day. By eating a diet rich in essential nutrients, people can lower their blood pressure 8 to 14 points over time.

Eating a healthy diet and including watermelon is a good way to lower, and maintain, a healthy blood pressure.

Sources:

Science Daily "Watermelon Lowers Blood Pressure, Study Finds"

Mayo Clinic "DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower blood pressure"