Nature's performance drug? Watermelon juice

Watermelon has BIG benefits. Turns out this sweet and juicy treat is loaded with a compound that increases blood flow.

Summer's favorite fruit has more going for it than a good excuse for a picnic. Turns out this sweet and juicy treat is loaded with a come-hither compound that turbocharges blood flow in much the same way "performance" drugs do.

The compound is citrulline, which your body converts into l-arginine, a blood vessel relaxer that enhances circulation to all your vital parts. In a new Italian study, 24 lucky middle-aged guys with "mild" erection problems took a citrulline supplement for a month; half said their difficulties cleared up and they had sex more often. American experts have found that knocking back a couple of glasses of watermelon juice a day raises blood levels of l-arginine significantly. (And, yes, you can buy 100% watermelon juice; if your local health-food store doesn't have it, Amazon does.)

There are many other sources of citrulline -- almonds, cantaloupe, chickpeas, cocoa, cucumber, dark chocolate, peanuts, red meat, salmon, soy, and walnuts -- but none come close to delivering the amount in watermelon's pretty pink flesh and crunchy rind. Don't care for pickled watermelon rind? Then scrape out those little close-to-the-rind bits that are so full of citrulline.

Watermelon is easier on your stomach than l-arginine supplements, experts say, because taking the pills can cause nausea and diarrhea. Citrulline has another advantage: It turns into l-arginine in your artery walls, so you get the benefits right where you need them. Some of the l-arginine in supplements may be lost in digestion.

Watermelon alone may not be enough to keep naughty bits behaving perfectly, but keeping blood flowing freely to all the right places can't hurt. Other helpers include staying physically active, getting plenty of sleep, and spending time with friends -- including your significant other.

More On

What you need to know about men’s health

video

What you need to know about men’s health
From blood pressure to important statistics, here is what you need to know about men’s health
5 ways men benefit from being a healthy weight

article

5 ways men benefit from being a healthy weight
Learn how reducing body fat can improve libido, testosterone levels, and back pain.
5 reasons men avoid the doctor, but shouldn't

slideshow

5 reasons men avoid the doctor, but shouldn't
Don't like tests? Too busy? Embarrassed? Go anyway. It could save your life.
How Are Doctors Improving Prostate Cancer Treatments?

video

How Are Doctors Improving Prostate Cancer Treatments?
Some advances in prostate cancer treatment include: new screenings and tests, improved surgical techniques (robotic surgery), and more targeted radiat...
7 stats you may not have known about men's health

video

7 stats you may not have known about men's health
November 19th is International Men's Day. Did you know these 7 statistics about men?