Eating Watermelon Has An Unexpected Effect On A Man's Sex Life

What's not to love about consuming watermelon? Its rich red hue is inviting and the juicy and refreshing insides are the perfect treat for those hot summer days. Even if you were to have them in salads, smoothies, or as a snack during the day, there's something so rejuvenating about this humble fruit. 

Turns out, there's more than one purpose to this tropical fruit that's native to Africa. It can even help a man out in the bedroom. 

Men who have a low sex drive might want to think about adding more of this fruit to their diet. Watermelon seeds contain a generous amount of zinc and zinc plays a key role in the sex hormone testosterone. A man's sex drive and performance are closely tied to his testosterone levels. Additionally, consuming watermelon has also been associated with improved sexual health in a man, more specifically fertility. According to a 2023 study published in JBRA Assisted Reproduction, watermelon improves male fertility by improving semen quality and reversing erectile dysfunction (ED). More on watermelon consumption and how it can help with ED is below.

Perhaps the fruit's most touted benefit when it comes to a man's sex life is its effect on erectile dysfunction. Researchers credit the amino acid citrulline found in this tropical fruit for improving symptoms of ED. More specifically, your body converts citrulline into arginine which boosts blood flow to the penis. 

According to a 2013 study done on mice and published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, citrulline water supplement was found to improve erectile function in subjects with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (a condition where erections become a problem because of reduced blood supply to the penis). A 2014 study published in the Chiang Mai University Journal of Natural Sciences (also done on rats) found an increase in arousal and sexual play in subjects that consumed watermelon, another unexpected consequence of this fruit. 

An older 2011 study done on men with mild ED and published in the journal Urology found that half the subjects who consumed the citrulline supplement experienced improvements in erection levels (hardness). Men with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction have lower levels of either citrulline or arginine (an amino acid responsible for dilating your blood vessels and increasing blood flow to your nether regions), according to a 2017 study published in Andrology. Does this mean all men with any concern related to ED should be loading up on watermelon?

While it might be next to impossible to overdo it with watermelon because the fruit has a high concentration of water and a tough-to-get-into shell, it is not recommended that you consume too much, especially if you're trying to watch your blood glucose levels. Watermelon is considered a high glycemic food, which means it can raise your blood sugar levels upon consumption, especially when consumed in excess. Also, you could have a watermelon allergy. It's rare but it can cause uncomfortable symptoms like hives, itchy lips, tongue, and throat, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Plus, the fruit has a high FODMAP content. This could be potentially irritating for people with digestive issues.

If you're thinking about trying watermelon to reverse problems with your sex life, you may want to try consuming the yellow- or orange-flesh varieties, as they contain slightly higher concentrations of citrulline. More specifically, one wedge a day of the yellow kind when compared to three and a half servings a day of the red kind (if you are to match the levels of citrulline in the studies), per NutritionFacts.org. 

However, it is important to note that not all forms of ED are caused by a lack of blood flow to your penis. Some are related to nerve damage or even relational issues. So you may want to first visit your doctor to find out what's causing the problem before trying natural ways to boost your sex drive. Speaking of natural remedies, there's also another fruit that has an unexpected effect on men's sexual health.