If you
are an athlete you are probably no stranger to cramps. Unfortunately, the exact
reason for cramping is questionable. However, there are two theories that look
to shed some light on the cause. The first theory is that muscle cramps are
caused by an abnormality of neuromuscular control, or an imbalance in nerve
signals to muscles. The treatment for this theory is to stretch the cramping
muscle. The second theory is related to the hydration status of an athlete. Dehydration
can mean a loss of the essential electrolyte, sodium, among others. As the
theory goes, it’s the loss of these serum electrolytes and dehydration that are
responsible for cramps during exercise. This is where pickle juice may have the
ability to treat muscle cramps.
Recommending
pickle juice to treat muscle cramps in athletes is not uncommon. In fact, 25%
of athletic trainers advocate drinking pickle juice to treat and prevent
exercise-associated muscle cramps. (1) Some clinicians even claim that drinking
30 mL to 60 ML of pickle juice relieves an exercise-associated muscle cramp in
as little as 30 seconds after ingestion. (2) The problem with this claim,
however, is that acetic acid – the primary ingredient in pickle juice – delays
gastric emptying. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that pickle juice could be
absorbed and available for a cramping muscle within one minute. (3) In
contrast, some health care professionals discourage athletes from drinking
pickle juice. It is thought that the high salt content and low fluid content of
the pickle juice will only prolong dehydration and increase the risk of
hyperthermia in hot and humid environments. (4-5) However, according to one
study consuming 1 mL/kg of body mass of pickle juice will not increase an
athlete’s risk of dehydration. (6)
So while
the evidence supporting the use of pickle juice for exercise-associated muscle
cramps is lacking, it is still important to ensure proper hydration and include
adequate amounts of salt in your diet. Always consult with a sports dietitian
to ensure that you have a proper hydration strategy in place and your nutrient
requirements are being met for optimal athletic performance.
Gavin Van De Walle is an ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer, a
freelance writer on topics of fitness and nutrition, and a dietetic student at
South Dakota State University. Once Gavin becomes an RD, he will aim to achieve
the distinguished Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) credential.
Gavin can be reached at gavin@supranutrition.com
References
Miller
KC, Knight KL, Williams RB. Athletic trainers’ perceptions of pickle juice’s
effects on exercise associated muscle cramps. Athl Ther Today. 2008; 13(5):31-34.
Williams
R. Those devilish cramps. Train
Condition. 2000; 35(suppl 2):S24.
Liljeberg
H, Bjorck I. Delayed gastric emptying rate may explain improved glycaemia in
healthy subjects to a stratch meal with added vinegar. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1998; 52(5):368-371.
Eichner
ER. Muacle cramps: the right ways for the dog days. Coach Athl Dir. 2002; 72(August):3.
Dale RB,
Leaver-Dunn D, Biship P. A compositional analysis of a common acetic acid
solution with practical implications for ingestion. J Athl Train. 2003; 38(1):57-61.
Miller
KC, Mack G, Knight KL. Electrolyte and Plasma Changes After Ingestion of Pickle
Juice, Water, and a Common Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Solution. J Athl Train. 2009; 44(5):454-461.
