Watermelon Helps Soothe Aching Muscles

l-Citrulline, an amino acid shown in previous studies to reduce muscle soreness, is found abundantly in watermelons, as well as certain squashes, cucumbers, and other melons.  Martha P. Tarazona-Díaz, from the  Universidad Politecnica de Cartagena  (Spain), and colleagues administered 500 mL of natural watermelon juice (containing 1.17 g of l-Citrulline), enriched watermelon juice (4.83 g of l-Citrulline plus 1.17 g naturally occurring), or a control beverage, to seven healthy university-age sports science students (average age 22.7 years).  Whereas neither juice form improved pedaling cadence, heart rate, or perceived exertion, both juice forms reduced muscle soreness 24-hours post-exercise.  The study authors report that: “watermelon juices helped to reduce the recovery heart rate and muscle soreness after 24 h.”