Healthy Watermelon news

A Packer staffer, who shall remain nameless, suggested we "get this up" as soon as we can.

USA Today writes that watermelons have Viagra-like properties in relaxing the blood vessels to treat erectile dysfunction. I recall George Costanza finding similar properties in mangoes in a classic (is there any other kind?) Seinfeld episode.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/07/watermelon-can.html

Watermelon's status as an Independence Day staple, combined with new research on the food's Viagra-like effects, may link the melon and fireworks in a whole new way, Science Daily reports. A compound in watermelon relaxes blood vessels "the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction," says Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center.
It's also helpful for those who suffer from obesity and type 2 diabetes, he says.
Watermelon also contains the anti-oxidant lycopene, which protects the heart, prostate and skin health, Science Daily reports.
Patil tells the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that they're having trouble securing money for in-depth research."If this was a drug, pharmaceutical companies would spend a lot for studies," Patil says. "But since it's watermelon they won't - unless it's to test for interaction with their drugs."
If they do invest in watermelon research, it won't be long before we start seeing the small-print safety warnings in the produce section.