New studies are suggesting nature may have already provided the perfect workout-recovery drink – delicious watermelon.

The juicy fruit has been found to assist muscle recovery after exercise, warding off pain and providing plenty of vitamins. Watermelon is packed with L-citrulline, and amino acid that researchers at the Technical University of Cartagena have been testing for its ability to accelerate the removal of lactic acid from muscles, allowing for more intense training and faster recovery.

In their tests, the team lead by Professor Encarna Aguayo compared the reported recovery times of seven active but not professional athletes after a day of exercising and watermelon juice, and a day of exercising followed by a pink placebo substance. All seven reported no leg soreness the day after a long run and some watermelon juice, and all reported some stiffness after drinking the placebo.

Researchers also found the natural source may yield the best results, with tests suggesting pasteurised watermelon loses some of its effectiveness.

Buoyed by their positive results so far, Aguayo and the team of Spanish scientists say they plan to tweak the concentration of L-citrulline in juice to determine the optimal concentration for the prevention of muscle fatigue; working out the best formula for delivering the natural goodness of watermelon.

The results of the first round of trials have now been published online.