IF YOU watched the US vs Australia World Cup match last month, you probably saw something strange: referee Felix Zwayer suddenly fell down with a muscle cramp in his leg, chugged a tiny bottle of green liquid, and sprang back up like nothing happened.
That liquid? Pickle juice.
When muscle cramps strike, most of us stretch, massage, or grab a heat or ice pack to soothe the muscles. But some, especially athletes, have sworn by pickle juice for decades whenever they get cramps on the pitch.
So, is it true that pickle juice could actually reduce muscle cramps?
Verdict:
TRUE
There isn’t a ton of research on how it works, however the studies so far support the theory that it does the job when needed.
Researchers believe that the vinegar content in pickle juice is likely the cause. It helps trigger certain muscle reflexes in the mouth when the liquid contacts the back of the throat.
Its natural electrolytes, like sodium and potassium, halt the neurons from misfiring within the muscles all over the body, which then decreases the cramps.
In one study, pickle juice did help shorten the duration of muscle cramps. On average, it relieved cramps in about 1.5 minutes, and was 45% faster than when nothing was taken after exercise.
Additionally, the drink also helps boost an athlete’s blood sugar and vitamin C levels.
So if you’re ever facing muscle cramps at the worst time possible, this might be your next best solution.
References:
1. https://www.healthline.com/
2. https://time.com/article/2026/
3. https://www.nytimes.com/
