Summer heat-relieving watermelon juice relieves muscle soreness

The latest research shows that an amino acid contained in watermelon can help relieve muscle soreness after exercise.

Encana Aguayo and others from the University of Cartagena, Colombia, took ordinary watermelon juice drinks, watermelon juice drinks enhanced with L-citrulline, and drinks without L-citrulline, and asked volunteers to exercise. Drink them separately an hour before. The results showed that both ordinary and L-citrulline-enhanced watermelon juice drinks had the effect of relieving volunteers' muscle soreness after exercise, while the latter was more biologically effective and easier for the body to absorb. Watermelon contains an amino acid called L-citrulline, which can relieve muscle soreness caused by exercise. Citrulline can react chemically with enzymes in the human body and convert it into arginine, which is beneficial to the body's circulation and immune system. Arginine can promote the production of nitric oxide and help relax blood vessels.

Previously, researchers have also analyzed the antioxidant properties of watermelon juice and believed that it may increase muscle protein and make athletes perform better, but there has been no research on L-citrulline. The research results were published in the American Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Food Chemistry.