Is watermelon the new Viagra?
What does watermelon have in common with Viagra? It appears that the popular Fourth of July fruit has some of the same properties as the little blue pill. Apparently, watermelon has ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects to the body’s blood vessels and may increase sex drive, according to a new report in Science Daily. “The more we study watermelons, the more we realize just how amazing a fruit it is in providing natural enhancers to the human body,” said Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center in College Station. Watermelon has an ingredient called citrulline, which can trigger production of arginine, an amino acid that boosts nitric oxide, relaxing blood vessels – similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra, said Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center. “Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but it’s a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side-effects,” he said The problem is that the ingredient is only found in the watermelon rind, not the part that most people eat. And you’d have to eat about five cuts for it to have any effect, scientists say. However, now that they know the ingredient is there, researchers say they are looking into whether it’s possible to find another way to get it to people and if it does in fact work in the real world the way it works in the lab. Meanwhile, watermelon could have other beneficial effects, scientists say. “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,” said Patil. “Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it.”

The search continues for the sickening salmonella source
Tomatoes may be fine for the Fourth, but hold the fresh salsa. While the source of the nationwide salmonella outbreak continues, federal officials say they’re focus is now on fresh salsas made with tomatoes and other ingredients, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency has asked state and local health officials to focus their efforts on items commonly used in the production of fresh salsa, particularly that made in local restaurants, says CDC spokesman Glen Nowak. Salsas typically are made with tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, garlic and cilantro. They can also include tomatillos and other produce. But federal officials don’t know exactly which of those ingredients could be the source of the outbreak that has made close to 900 people sick across the country, or whether there’s something involved in the production of any of those ingredients. The CDC and state health officials also are investigating possible connections between clusters of people who became ill and ate at 29 different restaurants. Most reported eating foods commonly served with tomatoes. The majority of the restaurants featured Mexican food. The focus does not involve commercially produced salsas, Nowak says. Salsas purchased in cans, jars or plastic containers in the refrigerated section of the supermarket are not being investigated. Fresh-made salsas only, prepared in the home or local restaurants, are the focus.

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