Pharmacist Emma Camarasa clears up the doubt: Is it true that watermelon helps with erectile dysfunction?

Recently, watermelon, the quintessential summer fruit in Spain, has been linked in a thousand ways to potentially improving erectile dysfunction in men. Indeed, this fruit contains an amino acid called citrulline , which numerous studies have shown to improve vascular health. So far, everyone agrees.

The problem arises regarding the quantity, whether it's significant enough to turn watermelon into a kind of "natural Viagra." The fact that it contains citrulline (which is essentially in its rind) doesn't mean it's an effective remedy for erectile dysfunction. To analyze its role in this particular and controversial topic, pharmacist Emma Camarasa publishes an informative video analyzing its composition and its effects on sexual health.

Vasodilatory properties of watermelon, according to science

In general, experts agree that conclusive studies on the role of watermelon in erectile dysfunction are still lacking. It is true that watermelon contains citrulline ( the amino acid from which arginine is formed ), which is a potent vasodilator, and it is also true that this amino acid has a chemical nature very similar to that of the medications prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction.

However, as with many other functional foods, it seems clear that to achieve significant results, it would be necessary to consume excessive amounts of watermelon, since its content is small. For example, foods such as fish and shellfish contain much higher amounts of citrulline than watermelon.

In fact, there are citrulline tablets on the market designed to effectively treat erectile dysfunction, but their concentrations are nothing like those found in a slice of watermelon. Therefore, it seems that the doses found in watermelon are completely insufficient to achieve visible results.

Erectile dysfunction: a vascular problem

Pharmacist Emma Camarasa elaborates on these previous statements, concluding that watermelon does contain this beneficial amino acid due to its vasodilatory function, but that the concentration is minimal and is found in the fruit's rind.

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by several factors, although the most common is vascular. This means that it affects the heart, blood, and blood vessels. In general, nitric oxide, a substance with strong vasodilatory properties, is very important. This substance has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

"The citrulline in watermelon helps form nitric oxide (in addition to other functions this amino acid may have, such as reducing fatigue ). The problem is that the highest citrulline content is found in the rind, which I highly doubt you eat; and even if you eat a lot of watermelon every day, the effective amounts wouldn't be sufficient," the pharmacist concludes.