Watermelon 'boosts athletic performance and improves recovery'
Eating watermelon before exercise helps cut recovery time and boost performance, a study has found. The juice has long had a reputation amongst athletes, but now scientists have found evidence that it can relieve post-exercise muscle soreness.
One of the naturally occurring chemicals found in the fruit accelerates lactic acid removal, allowing better physical performance as the athlete can carry out more intense training and is able to recover faster after each workout, it is said.
The report, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, attributes watermelon's effects to the amino acid L-citrulline.
“Watermelon juice, naturally rich in l-citrulline, is an excellent option for athletes who want to improve their sports performance,” the authors say.
Their study confirms previous findings that the fruit can improve athletic ability.
