Watermelon Juice for Heart Rate Recovery and Muscle Pain

Overseen By Mee Young Hong, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: San Diego State University

Must not be taking: Blood pressure medications

Disqualifiers: Injury, Chronic inflammation, Smoking, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

27 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a pre-exercise, single practical dose of watermelon juice, Gatorade, sugar water or water on heart rate recovery, blood lactate levels, and 24-hour post exercise muscle soreness.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial requires that you do not take any medication that affects blood pressure. If you are on such medication, you would need to stop taking it to participate.

Is watermelon juice safe for human consumption?

The research articles provided do not contain specific safety data on watermelon juice or its related forms. However, sports drinks and similar beverages are generally considered safe for human consumption when used as intended. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does watermelon juice differ from other treatments for heart rate recovery and muscle pain?

Watermelon juice is unique because it contains l-citrulline, an amino acid that helps reduce muscle soreness and improve heart rate recovery after exercise. Unlike typical sports drinks or sugar water, watermelon juice naturally increases nitric oxide levels, which can enhance blood flow and muscle function. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

What data supports the effectiveness of watermelon juice as a treatment for heart rate recovery and muscle pain?

While there is no direct evidence for watermelon juice, cherry juice has been shown to help muscles recover faster after exercise when consumed before the activity. This suggests that natural juices, like watermelon juice, might also aid in recovery due to their similar properties. ^{1 11 12 13 14}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy adults aged 21-50 who are not currently smoking, pregnant, allergic to watermelon, suffering from injuries or chronic inflammation. They should not be on blood pressure medications or dietary supplements.

Inclusion Criteria

We are looking for healthy adults between the ages of 21 and 50.

Exclusion Criteria

You have long-term inflammation in your body.

You smoke cigarettes.

You are allergic to watermelon.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a single dose of watermelon juice, Gatorade, sugar water, or water before exercise

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for heart rate recovery and muscle soreness post-exercise

24 hours

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Sport drink
• Sugar water
• Water
• Watermelon juice

Trial Overview The study tests the effects of a single dose of watermelon juice compared to Gatorade, sugar water, and plain water taken before exercise on heart rate recovery, blood lactate levels and muscle soreness after 24 hours.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Watermelon juice Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Sport drink Active Control 1 Intervention

Group III: Sugar water Active Control 1 Intervention

Group IV: Water Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Sport drink is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Gatorade for:

• Replenishment of fluids and electrolytes during exercise
• Prevention of dehydration

Approved in European Union as Lucozade Sport for:

• Replenishment of fluids and electrolytes during exercise
• Prevention of dehydration

Approved in Canada as Powerade for:

• Replenishment of fluids and electrolytes during exercise
• Prevention of dehydration

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

San Diego State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

182

Recruited

119,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Cherry juice is effective as a 'precovery' intervention, meaning it should be consumed several days before exercise to enhance muscle recovery, as shown in 15 studies measuring muscle function, soreness, and inflammation.

The timing of cherry juice consumption is crucial; starting the regimen before exercise leads to faster recovery, while starting on the day of or after exercise does not show beneficial effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Precovery" versus recovery: Understanding the role of cherry juice in exercise recovery. McHugh, MP.[2022]

Coconut water, whether pure or from concentrate, is as effective as traditional carbohydrate-electrolyte sports drinks in promoting rehydration and supporting exercise performance after dehydration, based on a study with 12 exercise-trained men.

Participants reported feeling more bloated and experienced greater stomach upset after consuming coconut water compared to other beverages, indicating potential discomfort despite similar hydration outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of coconut water and a carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink on measures of hydration and physical performance in exercise-trained men. Kalman, DS., Feldman, S., Krieger, DR., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 44 high school football players, a 7% glucose polymer beverage with electrolytes did not improve anaerobic performance after a scrimmage compared to a placebo, as both groups showed similar sprint velocities.

However, the glucose polymer beverage was more effective in maintaining plasma volume during recovery, indicating it may help with hydration better than the placebo after intense exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage on performance and blood homeostasis during recovery from football. Criswell, D., Powers, S., Lawler, J., et al.[2019]

In a study with seven trained cyclists exercising in heat for 120 minutes, rehydrating with commercial sports drinks (Gatorade and Powerade) significantly preserved leg power and force compared to not drinking anything (DEH), while water and a low-sodium drink did not provide the same benefits.

Cyclists who did not hydrate lost more body mass and had higher body temperatures, indicating that rehydration is crucial for maintaining performance in hot conditions, but the sodium content in sports drinks plays a key role in their effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anaerobic performance when rehydrating with water or commercially available sports drinks during prolonged exercise in the heat. Coso, JD., Estevez, E., Baquero, RA., et al.[2016]

To optimize recovery after endurance and team sports, athletes should consume about 1.2 g of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight immediately after exercise and every hour for 4-6 hours, or 0.8 g of carbohydrates combined with 0.4 g of protein per hour.

Recovery beverages should also include electrolytes, particularly sodium, to aid rehydration, and recent studies suggest that chocolate milk may be as effective, or even superior, to commercial recovery drinks in promoting recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Building a beverage for recovery from endurance activity: a review. Spaccarotella, KJ., Andzel, WD.[2016]

In a study involving 50 adult triathletes and runners, a commercially available 6% carbohydrate-electrolyte sports beverage (CCE) was found to be the most palatable and consumed the most during exercise compared to diluted orange juice (DOJ), homemade sports beverage (HCE), and water (W).

The results suggest that beverage palatability significantly influences voluntary intake during exercise, with CCE being preferred over other options, which could impact hydration and energy replenishment strategies for athletes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Palatability and voluntary intake of sports beverages, diluted orange juice, and water during exercise. Passe, DH., Horn, M., Stofan, J., et al.[2019]

The study identified xanthan gum as the best hydrocolloid for creating a sports energy gel from chia seeds, resulting in higher energy, viscosity, and potassium content compared to gels made with pectin or carboxymethyl cellulose.

The optimal chia seed gel formulation showed significant improvements in sensory characteristics, such as color and texture, which were positively received by taste panelists, indicating its potential for enhancing athletic performance and hydration during exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Chia Seeds (Salvia hispanica L.): Can They Be Used as Ingredients in Making Sports Energy Gel? Lestari, YN., Farida, E., Amin, N., et al.[2021]

The developed isotonic beverage from natural apple concentrate effectively replenishes key electrolytes lost through sweat, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, making it suitable for athletes.

The beverage was optimized for taste and quality, achieving a shelf life of at least 3 months when stored at refrigeration temperatures, while providing 30% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of essential vitamins for physical activity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Development and optimization of an isotonic sports drink]. López, L., Wittig de Penna, E., Bunger, A., et al.[2016]

The study found that the hypotonic sports drink Mizone Rapid was absorbed faster than isotonic and hypertonic drinks, leading to a moderate decrease in serum osmolality and better gut comfort among cyclists.

Cyclists consuming Mizone Rapid achieved the highest peak power output compared to other drinks, suggesting potential performance benefits, although further research is needed to confirm the significance of these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Unilateral fluid absorption and effects on peak power after ingestion of commercially available hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic sports drinks. Rowlands, DS., Bonetti, DL., Hopkins, WG.[2019]

Watermelon juice, especially when unpasteurized, enhances the bioavailability of l-citrulline, which is beneficial for reducing muscle soreness in athletes.

In a study with seven athletes, both natural and enriched watermelon juices significantly lowered recovery heart rates and muscle soreness after intense exercise, suggesting their effectiveness as functional drinks for athletic recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Watermelon juice: potential functional drink for sore muscle relief in athletes. Tarazona-Díaz, MP., Alacid, F., Carrasco, M., et al.[2013]

Consuming 500 mL of Fashion watermelon juice enriched with l-citrulline significantly reduced muscle soreness perception from 24 to 72 hours after a half-marathon race, indicating its potential for recovery support.

Runners who consumed the watermelon juice showed lower plasma lactate levels and maintained jump height performance compared to those who had a placebo, suggesting enhanced exercise recovery and performance benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biochemical, physiological, and performance response of a functional watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline during a half-marathon race. Martínez-Sánchez, A., Ramos-Campo, DJ., Fernández-Lobato, B., et al.[2022]

A study involving 27 healthy adults found that consuming watermelon juice before exercise did not significantly improve heart rate recovery, blood lactate levels, or muscle soreness compared to other drinks.

However, watermelon juice was effective in preventing increases in blood pressure after exercise in females, suggesting a potential benefit for blood pressure control that may vary by sex.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of acute watermelon juice supplementation on post-submaximal exercise heart rate recovery, blood lactate, blood pressure, blood glucose and muscle soreness in healthy non-athletic men and women. Blohm, K., Beidler, J., Rosen, P., et al.[2021]

Watermelon juice supplementation significantly increased plasma levels of l-citrulline, l-arginine, and nitrite, which are associated with improved nitric oxide bioavailability, but it also raised resting blood pressure compared to control conditions.

Despite the benefits in muscle oxygenation during moderate-intensity exercise, watermelon juice did not enhance time-to-exhaustion during severe-intensity exercise, suggesting it may not be effective for improving endurance performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Two weeks of watermelon juice supplementation improves nitric oxide bioavailability but not endurance exercise performance in humans. Bailey, SJ., Blackwell, JR., Williams, E., et al.[2018]

A single dose of watermelon juice enriched with l-citrulline and pomegranate ellagitannins helped maintain muscle function and reduced muscle soreness after high-intensity exercise in a study of 19 healthy male subjects.

The combination of l-citrulline and ellagitannins showed a synergistic effect, leading to better performance and lower perceived exertion during exercise, suggesting potential benefits for recovery and exercise performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consumption of Watermelon Juice Enriched in l-Citrulline and Pomegranate Ellagitannins Enhanced Metabolism during Physical Exercise. Martínez-Sánchez, A., Alacid, F., Rubio-Arias, JA., et al.[2019]

Citations

1. Denmark pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Precovery" versus recovery: Understanding the role of cherry juice in exercise recovery. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of coconut water and a carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink on measures of hydration and physical performance in exercise-trained men. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage on performance and blood homeostasis during recovery from football. [2019]

4. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anaerobic performance when rehydrating with water or commercially available sports drinks during prolonged exercise in the heat. [2016]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Building a beverage for recovery from endurance activity: a review. [2016]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Palatability and voluntary intake of sports beverages, diluted orange juice, and water during exercise. [2019]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Chia Seeds (Salvia hispanica L.): Can They Be Used as Ingredients in Making Sports Energy Gel? [2021]

8. Venezuela pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Development and optimization of an isotonic sports drink]. [2016]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Unilateral fluid absorption and effects on peak power after ingestion of commercially available hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic sports drinks. [2019]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Watermelon juice: potential functional drink for sore muscle relief in athletes. [2013]

11. Sweden pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biochemical, physiological, and performance response of a functional watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline during a half-marathon race. [2022]

12. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of acute watermelon juice supplementation on post-submaximal exercise heart rate recovery, blood lactate, blood pressure, blood glucose and muscle soreness in healthy non-athletic men and women. [2021]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Two weeks of watermelon juice supplementation improves nitric oxide bioavailability but not endurance exercise performance in humans. [2018]

14. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consumption of Watermelon Juice Enriched in l-Citrulline and Pomegranate Ellagitannins Enhanced Metabolism during Physical Exercise. [2019]