Need a boost in the gym? Drinking watermelon juice

·         The amino acid L-citrulline in watermelon can cut an athlete’s recovery time and boost their performance·         The chemical speeds up the process of lactic acid removal from the muscles which reduces soreness Drinking watermelon juice can relieve muscle soreness after exercise, new research suggests. It is believed that the amino acid L-citrulline, which is found in watermelon, can cut an athlete’s recovery time and boost their performance. Watermelon juice has long been popular with sportspeople but scientists have now given them an excuse to continue indulging in the summer favourite. In a report published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the researchers explained that there had already been research to show that watermelon juice had antioxidant properties and the potential to increase muscle protein and enhance athletic performance. However, this was the first time that scientists had explored the effectiveness of watermelon juice that is enriched with L-citrulline. The team, led by Encarna Aguayo at the Technical University of Cartagena, in Spain, tested natural watermelon juice, watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline, and a control drink containing no L-citrulline. The drinks were given to volunteers an hour before exercise.  Both the natural juice and the enriched juice relieved muscle soreness in the volunteers. L-citrulline in the natural juice (unpasteurised), however, seemed to be more bioavailable — in other words, it was in a form the body could better use. It is believed the juice has this effect because the naturally occurring chemicals in it speed up the process of lactic acid removal. This is important because lactic acid build-up can cause a burning sensation in the muscles and make them sore. Previous research has suggested that watermelon can also help prevent heart disease by halting the build-up of harmful cholesterol. The study, by Purdue University in the U.S., found the fruit halved the rate at which 'bad' low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, accumulated in mice. LDL is a form of cholesterol that leads to clogged arteries and heart disease. The researchers also found eating watermelon regularly helped to control weight gain and resulted in fewer fatty deposits inside blood vessels. They also believe the secret to watermelon’s health-boosting properties lies in the citrulline contained within the juice. 译文 ·         西瓜的氨基酸L-瓜氨酸可以缩短运动员的体力恢复时间，提高他们的运动成绩·         西瓜的氨基酸化学物质加速去除肌肉中的乳酸过程，减少肌肉的疼痛感 新的研究显示，喝西瓜汁可以缓解运动后肌肉的酸痛感。 人们认为西瓜含的氨基酸L-瓜氨酸，可以减少运动员的恢复时间，提高他们的运动成绩。西瓜汁在运动员中一直大受欢迎，继续沉浸在夏天最喜欢的清凉果汁中吧！现在科学家给出了科学解释。 研究报告发表在《农业和食品化学期刊》上，研究人员解释说，研究表明西瓜汁有抗氧化性能，有增加肌肉蛋白的潜力并提高运动成绩。 喝西瓜汁可以缓解运动后的肌肉酸痛感 不过，这是科学家们第一次探索富含l瓜氨酸西瓜汁的效果。 这个研究团队在西班牙卡塔赫纳科技大学的Encarna Aguayo领导下，测试了天然西瓜汁、富含l瓜氨酸西瓜汁和不含L-瓜氨酸的饮料。 让志愿者在锻炼前一个小时喝下饮料。 志愿者喝的天然果汁和浓缩果汁都可以解除肌肉的酸痛感。 天然果汁中含的L-瓜氨酸（未经消毒处理），不过，似乎生物相容性比较好——换句话说，就是可以很好地被身体利用。 认为果汁有这个效果，因为天然化学物质加速去除乳酸的过程。 因为乳酸积累会引起肌肉的烧灼感并使其有酸痛感，这种化学物质对缓解肌肉酸痛起到了很重要的作用。 人们认为在西瓜中发现的氨基酸L-瓜氨酸可以减少运动员的体力恢复时间，并能提高他们的运动成绩 先前的研究表明，西瓜也可以预防心脏病，因有害胆固醇堆积会导致心脏停止跳动。 美国普渡大学做的这项研究发现，水果可以减半堆积在小鼠体内的“坏”低密度脂蛋白。 低密度脂蛋白是一种胆固醇会导致动脉阻塞和心脏病。 研究人员还发现，经常吃西瓜对控制体重增加有帮助作用，会导致更少的脂肪沉积在血管中。他们还认为，西瓜改善健康的秘密在于果汁中含瓜氨酸。