Does Watermelon juice have viagra effect ?

Secret behind Watermelon Juice.

Watermelon or Citrullus lanatus / Citrullus vulgaris, family Cucurbitaceae, originally from southern Africa, this flowering plant produces a special type of fruit, which has a thick rind (exocarp) and fleshy center (mesocarp and endocarp), watermelon fruit, has a smooth exterior rind, green and yellow color, and a juicy and sweet, red, orange, yellow, or pink interior flesh colors, due to a carotenoid pigment Lycopene content, watermelon contains about six percent sugar by weight, almost 92 % of watermelon is water, but the remaining 8 percent is loaded with lycopene, an anti-oxidant that protects the human heart, prostate and skin health, it is a source of vitamin C, beside that, watermelons contain a significant amount of amino acid citrulline, it also contains Vitamins A, B₁, B₆ etc.

The George Mateljan Foundation

The Great Phytonutrient of Watermelon

Lycopenes

Lycopene is a carotenoid pigment**), found in tomatoes and other red fruits, like Watermelon, papaya, pink grapefruit and pink guava. Its name is derived from the tomato’s species classification, Solanum lycopersicum. Lycopene is a proven antioxidant, the strongest anti-oxidant existing in nature, helps prevent cancer of the lung, bladder, cervix, skin, prostate and gastrointestinal tract, also prevents heart disease and macular degenerative disease. Anti-oxidants neutralize free radicals which oxidize the cells in our bodies, cause disease and cell aging, when we take antioxidant lycopen, we neutralize the radicals and help our bodies in its fight against damaging substances and thus contributes to postponing the aging process, similar to other carotenoids, lycopene is a natural fat-soluble pigment, which is synthesized by some plants and micro-organisms but not by animals, where it serves as an accessory light-gathering pigment and to protect these organisms against the toxic effects of oxygen and light.

Lycopene is the most common carotenoid**) in the human body and is one of the most potent carotenoid antioxidants. Lycopene is easily absorbed and is naturally present in human plasma and tissues in higher concentrations than the other carotenoids. Its level is affected by several biological and lifestyle factors, because of its lipophilic nature, lycopene concentrates in low-density and very-low-density lipoprotein fractions of the serum. Lycopene is also found to concentrate in the adrenal, liver, testes, and prostate, unlike other carotenoids, lycopene levels in serum or tissues do not correlate well with overall intake of fruits and vegetables.

**)Carotenoids are the principal pigments responsible for the colors of vegetables and fruits: these include ß-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene which is responsible for the red color of red tomatoes, red color of watermelon, Its colour is due to its many conjugated carbon double bonds: each double bond reduces the energy required for electrons to transition to higher energy states, allowing the molecule to absorb visible lengths of progressively longer wavelengths. Lycopene absorbs most of the visible spectrum, so it appears red.

Lycopene is the most common carotenoid in the human body and is one of the most potent carotenoid antioxidants. Lycopene is easily absorbed by the organism and is naturally present in human plasma and tissues in higher concentrations than the other carotenoids. Its level is affected by several biological and lifestyle factors. Because of its lipophilic nature, lycopene concentrates in low-density and very-low-density lipoprotein fractions of the serum. Lycopene is also found to concentrate in the adrenal, liver, testes, and prostate. However, unlike other carotenoids, lycopene levels in serum or tissues do not correlate well with overall intake of fruits and vegetables.

Watermelon may have Viagra effect.

Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, says watermelon may have Viagra-like effects, it is just because watermelon has ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects to the body’s blood vessels and may even increase libido.

The beneficial ingredients in vegetables and fruits like watermelons are known as phyto-nutrients, naturally occurring compounds that are bioactive, or able to react with the human body to trigger healthy reactions, in watermelons, these include carotenoid pigment lycopene, beta carotene and amino acid citrulline – whose beneficial functions are now being unraveled. Among them is the ability to relax blood vessels, much like Viagra does.

When watermelon is consumed, L-citrulline is converted to L-arginine through arginine-synthase (AS) enzymes. Arginine is an amino acid that works wonders on the heart and circulation system and maintains a good immune system, the citrulline-arginine relationship helps heart health, the immune system and may prove to be very helpful for those who suffer from obesity and type 2 diabetes,

Arginine boosts nitric oxide (NO), which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it. while there are many psychological and physiological problems that can cause impotence, extra nitric oxide (NO) could help those who need increased blood flow.

Watermelon may not be as specific substance as Viagra (Sildenafil), but it’s a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side-effects.

Nitric oxide (NO):

Nitric oxide or NO is a free radical gas that was originally discovered in the endothelial cells and is produced by the highly conserved NO-synthase from L-arginine. NO binds to its guanylyl-cyclase receptors and stimulates the subsequent increase in intracellular cyclic guanylyl monophosphate that in turn stimulates the protein kinase, which depends on cyclic guanyl monophosphate. This protein kinase inhibits intracellular calcium release by inhibiting phospholipase C and inositol triphosphate, and perhaps other intracellular calcium-release channels. Hence, NO assures blood flow through the vessel (Vasodilatation), protecting the tissue by antagonism of vascular smooth-muscle contraction.

L-Citrulline

H₂NC(O)NH(CH₂)₃CH(NH₂)CO₂H

Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.) is a natural and rich source of the citrulline. Citrulline, the precursor to arginine, is found in higher concentrations in the rind of watermelons than the flesh, unfortunately the rind is not commonly eaten, the organic chemical compound Citrulline is an α-amino acid, a non essential amino acid, its name is derived from citrullus, the Latin word for watermelon, it is a key intermediate in the urea cycle, the pathway by which mammals excrete ammonia. Citrulline is used in the nitric oxide (NO) system in humans and has potential antioxidant and vasodilatation roles, our bodies use citrulline to make Arginine, an other amino acid, which helps cells divide, wounds heal, and ammonia to be removed from the body.

Citrulline content in flesh and rind of Watermelon:

1. Citrulline content in watermelon fruit about 3.9 mg – 28.5 mg based on dry weight (dwt):
2. Seeded Watermelon: 16.6 mg / g dwt.
3. Non seeded Watermelon: 20.3 mg / g dwt.
4. Red Watermelon: 7.4 mg / g det.
5. Yellow Watermelon: 28.5 mg / g dwt.
6. Orange Watermelon: 14.2 mg / g dwt.
7. Watermelon Rind: 24.7 mg / g dwt. Compares with Watermelon flesh: 16.7 mg / g dwt.
8. Fresh Watermelon Rind: 1.3 mg / g fwt, compares with fresh Watermelon flesh: 1.9 mg / g fwt. (fwt = fresh weight)
9. 
   

How does Citrulline works ?

L-citrulline is converted to L-arginine through arginine-synthase (AS) enzymes, Arginine boosts nitric oxide (NO), continues with Nitric oxide’s work, which finally relaxes blood vessels (see the following chart).

How does Viagra works ?

Viagra / Sildenafil

Viagra works becuase part of the physiological process of erection involves the release of nitric oxide (NO) in the corpus cavernosum. Nitric oxide (NO) then activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase which results in increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), leading to smooth muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernosum, resulting in increased inflow of blood and an erection.

Viagra / Sildenafil is a potent and selective inhibitor of cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) which is responsible for degradation of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum (form 5-Guanyl-Mono-Phosphate). This means that, with Viagra, normal sexual stimulation leads to increased levels of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum which leads to better erections. Without sexual stimulation and no activation of the NO / cGMP system, Viagra should not cause an erection.

Citrulline compares with Viagra :

Citrulline and Viagra both has effect on blood vessel, causes Vasodilatation, but through different way.

1. Citrulline maintain the existence of cGMP by coverting to Arginine, Arginine produces Nitric oxide (NO), Nitric oxide activate the Guanylate-cyclase-enzyme, which stimulate the changes of Guanyl-Triphosphate into cGMP (Cyclic-Guanosie-Mono-Phosphate), cGMP causes Vasodilatation.
2. Viagra maintain the existence of cGMP (Vasodilatation) by inhibiting the Phospho-Diesterase-Type-5 Enzyme which convert the cGMP into 5-Guanyl-Mono-Phosphate (non-vasodilatator)

From this view of point

it is not easy to find the equivalent

between

consuming Watermelon and Viagra.

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Star Fruit is harmful for kidney patients, but it is safe for healthy persons.

Safety use of Star Fruit Juices.

Averrhoa carambola or Star fruit is a seasonal fruit, originally from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) and the Moluccas Islands, Indonesian people recognize Star fruit as Belimbing, it has been cultivated in southeast Asia and Malaysia for many centuries. Averrhoa carambola belongs to the Oxalidaceae family, It is also found in southern China, Taiwan, India, Philippines, Australia, Central America, Africa and Brazil, in the tropical and subtropical areas. It is served either as freshly sliced fruits, as a naturally fresh beverages or as an industrialized juices, and sometime used in restaurants for decorative purposes throughout the world.

Star fruits are an excellent source of Vitamin C, naturally sodium and cholesterol free, it is low in fat, it contains high oxalic acid (see below), an average of 0.50 gram per 100 ml of juice. Star fruits contain a neurotoxin, which is not present in other fruits, affecting the brain and nerves, the various star fruit subspecies contain different neurotoxin that is suspected to accumulate in blood, cross the blood-brain barrier. In healthy persons, the kidneys filter it out, excreted it from the blood quickly and thus they do not suffer from its effect when a reasonable portion of the fruit is consumed, but in kidney patients, patients with renal failure condition, it cannot be removed and worsens their condition, So it is highly advisable:

• for kidney patients (renal failure patients) to avoid eating star fruit, while,
• for people with normal kidneys have no problem with the star fruit intoxication, but do beware of over consumption.

Cases on Star Fruit intoxications:

There have been reports of hiccup, confusion, and occasional fatal outcomes in uraemic patients after ingestion of star fruit. a Neurotoxin from star fruit has been implicated, although the exact nature of this toxic substance has not been identified. A group of seven patients is described from the dialysis centers at Queen Mary and Tung Wah Hospitals who developed symptoms including hiccup, confusion, vomiting, impaired consciousness, muscle twitching and hyperkalaemia shortly after ingestion of star fruit. Symptoms of most patients resolved after intensified dialysis or spontaneously, and no mortality was observed. The close temporal relationship of ingestion of star fruit and onset of symptoms strongly suggests the existence of a causal relationship between the two. It is recommended that uraemic patients (kidney patients / renal failure patients) should totally abstain from star fruit due to these rare but potentially fatal complications.

It is said that these symptoms are caused by the oxalic acid and a kind of neurotoxin contained in the star fruit. However, the claim of oxalic acid being problematic, in this case is controversial as the other foods that contain higher level of oxalic acid such as spinach (note: USDA: Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L) contains 5.3 % to 11.6 % oxalic acid on a dry weight basis, but there are significant differences in oxalate concentration among varieties.) do not seem to cause the symptoms, oxalate is found in a lot of food and generally healthy people would have no problem with it. The Brazilian researchers Carolino et al. (2003) have proven that the AcTx, a neurotoxic compound found in star fruit, is the causal to the convulsion after ingestion, for people with normal kidneys, this compound can be excreted from the blood quickly and thus they do not suffer from its effect when a reasonable portion of the fruit is consumed. Chemical characterization of AcTx showed that this compound is a nonproteic molecule with a molecular weight less than 500, differing from oxalic acid. This neurotoxic fraction of star fruit may be considered a new tool for neurochemical and neuroethological research.

A service of the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health (pubmed), in a published article: “Neurotoxic effects of Carambola in rats: the role of oxalate”, stating that Star fruit contains neurotoxins and oxalate. Oxalate can lead to kidney stones, but it would take a large amounts and many years to lead to such condition.Pubmed gives a conclusion: Oxalate is a main constituent of carambola neurotoxicity, this finding suggests that patients with carambola intoxication should be treated for oxalate toxicosis.

What is Neurotoxin ?

A neurotoxin is a substance which inhibits the functions of neurons. Neurons are found throughout the brain and nervous systems, and the function of these unique cells is critical for a variety of tasks, ranging from autonomic nervous system jobs like swallowing to higher-level brain functions. Neurotoxins can work in a variety of ways, with the danger of exposure varying, depending on the neurotoxin involved and the dosage.

In some cases, neurotoxins simply severely damage neurons so that the neurons cannot function well. Other neurotoxins attack the signaling capability of neurons, by blocking releases of various chemicals or interfering with the methods of reception for such transmissions, and sometimes telling neurons to send false signals, furthermore, a neurotoxin may also destroy neurons altogether. The body actually generates some neurotoxins, many of the neurotransmitters produced to send messages across the nervous systems can be dangerous in high amounts, sometimes the body produces neurotoxins as it responds to a threat to the immune system.

Neurotoxins are also present in large numbers in the natural environment; some venomous animals produce neurotoxins, while heavy metals such as lead are also neurotoxins, there are also many plants that produce Neurotoxins.

Samples of Plants containing Neurotoxin:

1. Conium maculatum (Poison hemlock): coniine a neurotoxic alkaloid.
2. Karwinskia humboldtiana (Buckthorn, coyotillo, tullidora): Paralysis (demyelination of peripheral nerves).
3. Atropa belladonna (Solanaceae family): atropine, scopolamine.
4. Strychnos family (curare): respiratory failure.

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