Fruit Enhances Male Virility and Fertility

Way back in January we predicted that this would be a big year for the antioxidant found in watermelon (“Lycopene: Star of 04?”), and now that National Watermelon Day is about to roll around on Aug. 3, new research has given us new reasons to celebrate!

Seems that watermelons pack two potent compounds with surprising benefits for male reproductive health. As we mentioned in our January newsletter, watermelons outperform tomatoes in lycopene content. Well, new findings presented at a conference of the Indian Association of Urologists suggests that lycopene might also enhance male fertility.

Improvements in sperm concentration and motility were observed after the 30 infertile study subjects took part in a month-long trial of lycopene supplementation. While the amount of watermelon needed to elicit similar effects has not been determined, whole fruit generally contains a variety of synergistic compounds that help to support delivery mechanisms.

Speaking of delivery mechanisms, it appears that another watermelon compound, the amino acid citrulline, may function as a natural alternative to Viagra. Both citrulline and Viagra help increase blood flow to the pelvic area, the former by increasing the body’s release of nitric oxide, the latter by suppressing those enzymes that inhibit nitric oxide’s effects.

While lycopene is found in the red flesh of the watermelon, citrulline is most highly concentrated in the rind. With one compound combating free radicals, and the other fighting erectile dysfunction, the two found within the same fruit may work synergistically to promote overall male reproductive health.

So if you’re feeling in the “food” for love, why not juice up some watermelon (and add a bit of the rind). Try Pickled Watermelon Rinds or sample something a little more unconventional, like Watermelon Rind Salad with ginger and grenadine or Barbecued Watermelon Rinds. We’ve added extra watermelon to our featured recipe, above — give it a try and find out why we call it Pineapple Passion.