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Watermelon Extract for Healthier Blood Vessels

As people age, their arteries often become less flexible. Atherosclerosis is associated with heart disease and high blood pressure. New research from Florida State University shows that people at risk of high blood pressure get benefit from an unexpected source.
Watermelon extract was studied in a 6-week randomized placebo controlled trial with overweight volunteers. The watermelon extract significantly improved measures of artery flexibility. The extract lowered blood pressure as much as many antihypertensive medications. The researchers believe that citrulline in the watermelon extract is converted to L-arginine, which increases nitric oxide production in the blood vessels and improves endothelial function. The 6 grams of extract given each day would be the equivalent of just over two pounds of raw watermelon.
[American Journal of Hypertension, online March 8, 2012]

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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