The Claim
In non-athlete men undergoing 8 weeks of endurance training, daily consumption of 710 mL of watermelon juice (containing approximately 1.65 g L-citrulline) is associated with a mean increase of 2.00 mm in pectoralis major muscle thickness and 1.70 mm in rectus femoris muscle thickness.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Non-athlete men who drank 710 mL of watermelon juice daily for 8 weeks while doing endurance training showed an average increase of 2.00 mm in pectoralis major muscle thickness and 1.70 mm in rectus femoris muscle thickness.
See the scientific wording
In non-athlete men undergoing 8 weeks of endurance training, daily consumption of 710 mL of watermelon juice (containing approximately 1.65 g L-citrulline) is associated with a mean increase of 2.00 mm in pectoralis major muscle thickness and 1.70 mm in rectus femoris muscle thickness, suggesting a potential role in enhancing muscle adaptation to endurance exercise.
L-citrulline from watermelon juice is converted into arginine, which the body uses to make nitric oxide. Nitric oxide opens up blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow into muscles during and after exercise. This brings more oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products, which helps muscles repair and grow thicker. Antioxidants in the juice protect nitric oxide from being destroyed, making this effect stronger.
What the research says
1 studyMen who drank watermelon juice before their workouts for 8 weeks ended up with slightly thicker chest and thigh muscles than those who drank a placebo, even though they did the same workouts. This suggests the juice might help muscles grow a bit more during training.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.