Besides resting and supplementing enough water, nutrition also plays an important role in the body recovery process.
Among the fruits that are beneficial for people who exercise regularly, watermelon is considered a natural choice to help reduce muscle pain effectively.
Watermelon contains a very high amount of water, accounting for about 90% of the fruit mass, helping to replenish water and balance electrolytes for the body after exercise.
When the body is dehydrated, muscles are prone to stiffness and prolonged pain. Eating watermelon or drinking watermelon juice can support the hydration process, thereby helping muscles recover faster.
A special ingredient in watermelon is citrulline - an amino acid that has the ability to improve blood circulation and support the transport of oxygen to muscle tissues. Citrulline helps the body eliminate metabolites accumulated during exercise, thereby reducing muscle fatigue and pain after exercise.
Some studies show that using watermelon juice rich in citrulline before or after exercise can help reduce muscle pain levels within the next 24 hours.
To take advantage of this benefit, exercisers can eat about 200–300 grams of watermelon after exercising for about 30–60 minutes. This is the time when the body needs to replenish water, vitamins and natural carbohydrates to restore energy.
In addition, drinking a glass of fresh watermelon juice about an hour before exercise can also help boost blood circulation and reduce muscle fatigue.
However, watermelon is not a "panacea" that can completely replace other recovery measures.
To effectively reduce muscle aches, it is necessary to combine a balanced diet with high-quality protein sources, get enough sleep and perform appropriate muscle relaxation exercises.
People with diabetes or needing to control blood sugar levels should also use watermelon in reasonable amounts.
Watermelon is a fruit rich in water, vitamins and citrulline, which can help reduce muscle aches when used properly.
Adding watermelon to your daily diet will help your body recover better after exercise.