Little-known facts about the physiological repercussions of watermelon consumption: it's a diuretic. And beyond that, scientists in Texas are comparing the effects of a certain amino acid in watermelon to the effects of Viagra. (Note: Texas is one of the country's top watermelon producers. Coincidence? Or marketing ploy?)

Bhimu Patil of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center said, "Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects." Todd Wehner, a rival watermelon expert at North Carolina State University, called the comparison "interesting" but felt compelled to clarify that watermelon is not necessarily interchangeable with prescription erectile dysfunction drugs.

Interesting indeed. Depending on the truth value of the Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center's theory, it could introduce into the world of the family picnic a host of new opportunities for intense awkwardness.