Watermelon Juice Soothes Muscle Pain After Excercise

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Watermelon juice is a popular drink among athletes, who have long praised it for replenishing fluids, electrolytes and glucose that get depleted during a workout. A new study identifies an additional benefit: juice from the summer fruit can relieve post-exercise muscle pain [1]. The study is published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Watermelon contains the non-essential amino acid L-citrulline, which improves blood flow in the body through dilation of blood vessels.

Since L-citrulline helps keep the blood moving, energy levels go up and endurance levels tend to rise. Researchers from the University of Cartagena in Columbia investigated the potential of watermelon juice as a functional drink for athletes, focusing on L-citrulline.

The scientists tested natural watermelon juice, watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline and a placebo drink containing no L-citrulline on volunteers one hour prior to exercise. Both the natural juice and the enriched juice helped reduce the recovery heart rate and muscle soreness the next day. However, L-citrulline in the natural juice appeared to be more bioavailable, meaning in a form the body could better use.

In addition to post-exercise recovery, watermelon is known to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. L-citrulline has also been used for treatment of symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, canker sores, erectile dysfunction and fatigue.

Watermelon Juice recipe

If you’d like to make your own refreshing, naturally sweet watermelon juice, it’s easy to make in a blender in less than 10 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 small sweet, organic watermelon (~6 pounds; seedless if possible)
• 1 lime
• Sugar or honey to taste

Directions

1. Cut the watermelon into chucks, removing the seeds and rind. Scoop chunks of watermelon from the rind into a blender.
2. Cut the lime in half; squeeze lime juice (1/2 lime) into the blender. Blend watermelon and lime juice ~30 seconds.
3. Add sugar or honey as needed to taste, blending to mix.
4. Pour directly into a glass over ice.
5. Enjoy!

References

1. Tarazona-Díaz et al. Watermelon Juice: Potential Functional Drink for Sore Muscle Relief in Athletes. J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Jul 29. [Epub ahead of print]
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