Which foods are rich in citrulline?
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Citrulline is highest in watermelon (where it derives its name, as watermelons are known as Citrullus vulgaris[1]), which contains an average of 2.1 milligrams of citrulline per gram of wet weight (although absolute numbers vary).[2] Consuming watermelon has been noted to acutely increase both plasma arginine and citrulline (3.3 kilograms of watermelon is equivalent to 10 grams of supplemental L-arginine)[3][4] and to increase fasting arginine and ornithine in the range of 12%–22% following consumption of 780–1560 grams daily.[5]
Other food sources of citrulline include muskmelons (cantelope), bitter melons, squashes, gourds, cucumbers, and pumpkins.[1]
1.^Kaore SN, Amane HS, Kaore NMCitrulline: pharmacological perspectives and its role as an emerging biomarker in future.Fundam Clin Pharmacol.(2013-Feb)
2.^Rimando AM, Perkins-Veazie PMDetermination of citrulline in watermelon rind.J Chromatogr A.(2005-Jun-17)
3.^Mandel H, Levy N, Izkovitch S, Korman SHElevated plasma citrulline and arginine due to consumption of Citrullus vulgaris (watermelon).J Inherit Metab Dis.(2005)
4.^Tangphao O, Grossmann M, Chalon S, Hoffman BB, Blaschke TFPharmacokinetics of intravenous and oral L-arginine in normal volunteers.Br J Clin Pharmacol.(1999-Mar)
5.^Julie K Collins, Guoyao Wu, Penelope Perkins-Veazie, Karen Spears, P Larry Claypool, Robert A Baker, Beverly A ClevidenceWatermelon consumption increases plasma arginine concentrations in adultsNutrition.(2007 Mar)