Watermelon relieves post-exercise soreness.

• Position: Muscular System - Brief article

The reputation of watermelon juice among athletes is getting scientific support in a Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry study, which found that juice from the summer favorite fruit can relieve post-exercise muscle soreness. The report attributes watermelon's effects to the amino acid L-citrulline.

Encarna Aguayo and colleagues in the Department of Food Engineering at Spain's Polytechnic University of Cartagena cite past research on watermelon juice's antioxidant properties and its potential to increase muscle protein and enhance athletic performance, but scientists had yet to explore the effectiveness of watermelon juice drinks enriched in L-citrulline...