Watermelon consumption can lower blood pressure and help to prevent major illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, a study has claimed.

The amino acids found in watermelons have been shown to improve the arterial functions of nine individuals, while also decreasing their aortic blood pressure, in a study carried out by Florida State University (FSU).

FSU assistant professor Arturo Figueroa said: "Watermelon is the richest edible natural source of L-citrulline, which is closely related to L-arginine, the amino acid required for the formation of nitric oxide essential to the regulation of vascular tone and healthy blood pressure."

Meanwhile, research by the Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) has claimed that nearly half of children's hospital main meals surpass the nutritional standards for salt or saturated fat in schools.

CASH exemplified this by indicating that a chicken tikka masala and rice meal offered in one hospital included 14 times more salt than a chicken & vegetable balti with rice dish served within a school.