title: Watermelon juice: potential functional drink for sore muscle relief in athletes.
abstract: l-Citrulline is an excellent candidate to reduce muscle soreness, and watermelon is a fruit rich in this amino acid. This study investigated the potential of watermelon juice as a functional drink for athletes. An in vitro study of intestinal absorption of l-citrulline in Caco-2 cells was performed using unpasteurized (NW), pasteurized (80 °C for 40 s) watermelon juice (PW) and, as control, a standard of l-citrulline. l-citrulline bioavailability was greater when it was contained in a matrix of watermelon and when no heat treatment was applied. In the in vivo experiment (maximum effort test in a cycloergometer), seven athletes were supplied with 500 mL of natural watermelon juice (1.17 g of l-citrulline), enriched watermelon juice (4.83 g of l-citrulline plus 1.17 g from watermelon), and placebo. Both watermelon juices helped to reduce the recovery heart rate and muscle soreness after 24 h.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena , Paseo Alfonso XIII 48, E-30203 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Martha P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Tarazona-Díaz
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alacid
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Encarna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aguayo
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D001682:Biological Availability; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002956:Citrulline / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D029773:Citrullus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D055951:Functional Food / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002956:Citrulline