Eat Your Watermelon

Cold weather can increase blood pressure and may increase the risk of cardiac events in people with high blood pressure. But here’s a surprising new solution: watermelon. . . . 

Thirteen overweight people with high blood pressure were given either a placebo or a watermelon supplement for six weeks while researchers simulated the conditions of cold weather. The watermelon supplement was rich in the amino acid L-citrulline.

The watermelon supplement significantly reduced systolic blood pressure compared to the placebo. It also reduced cardiac stress. The researchers concluded that watermelon supplement reduces blood pressure and may protect the heart.

Am J Hypertens 2014;doi:10.1093/ajh/hpt295