The Claim

A single 500 mL dose of L-citrulline-enriched watermelon juice containing 3.45 g of L-citrulline prevents a decline in vertical jump height following a half-marathon in amateur male runners, with no significant change observed in the supplemented group compared to a 9–10% decline in the placebo group.

Source: Biochemical, physiological, and performance response of a functional watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline during a half-marathon race

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
61score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Amateur male runners who drank 500 mL of L-citrulline-enriched watermelon juice containing 3.45 g of L-citrulline before a half-marathon maintained their vertical jump height afterward, while those who drank a placebo experienced a 9–10% decline.

See the scientific wording

A single 500 mL dose of L-citrulline-enriched watermelon juice (3.45 g L-citrulline) helps maintain vertical jump height after a half-marathon in amateur male runners, with no significant decline observed in the supplemented group compared to a 9–10% decline in the placebo group.

Why this might work

L-citrulline from the juice is converted into arginine, which makes nitric oxide that opens blood vessels and improves oxygen delivery to muscles. At the same time, L-citrulline helps remove ammonia built up during running, which reduces the muscle's need to produce lactic acid. Less lactic acid means muscles stay less fatigued and can still generate force for jumping after the race.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Biochemical, physiological, and performance response of a functional watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline during a half-marathon race

    Runners who drank this special watermelon juice kept their ability to jump high after running a half-marathon, while those who drank a plain drink lost some of that power. So the juice helped them stay stronger after the race.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

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