An experiment conducted recently at the University of Kentucky managed to prove the benefits. Although only tested on rats, but the results of this study is believed to be a very big promise for application in humans.
In the experiment, some rats were fed a high cholesterol content is then divided into 2 groups. The first group was given a watermelon juice per day, whereas only be used as a comparison group and was given only water.
At week-8, the researchers looked at the content of cholesterol in the blood of the mice, examining the condition of blood vessels and calculate the risk of heart disease. Of the various components, the mice that got the watermelon juice every day looks more healthy.
"Watermelon has many benefits, one of which prevents atherosclerosis. Our goal eventually is to identify efficacious compound, then applying it to humans," said Dr. Sibu Saha who led the study as quoted by Eurekalert, Monday (10/31/2011).
Mice that had watermelon juice per day had higher levels of bad cholesterol observed lower in the blood. Likewise, when examined blood vessels, thickening that characterizes atherosclerosis symptoms are not observed in this group.
Atherosclerosis is a condition of thickening of blood vessels caused by the buildup of cholesterol, as well as being a risk factor for stroke and heart attack. This thickening of the walls of blood vessels makes no elastic, so easily broken when there is a change in blood pressure.
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