Muscle cramps are painful and annoying, but what causes them, and can pickle juice prevent them? Find out more in our article.
Muscle cramps are the worst. They strike out of nowhere—during the night, in the middle of a workout, or even while stretching when you're trying to relax. The affected muscle seizes up suddenly, and the intense pain can linger for some time, sometimes leaving you with soreness that lasts for days. Many athletes swear by pickle juice as a miracle cure for these pesky muscle cramps. But is there any truth to this? In today's article, we'll explore what science has to say about it.
What Causes Muscle Cramps?
First, we need to understand how a muscle cramp occurs. Whether it's a calf cramp or cramps in the toes, arms, or abdominal muscles—they all result from sudden, involuntary muscle contractions. The exact cause is still a mystery to science.
Previously, it was believed that factors like electrolyte imbalances (especially a lack of essential nutrients like sodium), dehydration, overexertion, and magnesium deficiency played a role. This would explain why these spontaneous muscle cramps often occur during sports or at night after physical exertion. However, studies have shown that neither increased fluid intake [1] nor electrolyte supplements [2] reduce or delay the onset of muscle cramps. Therefore, pickle juice, at least in small quantities, would be ineffective in this context.
There must be another reason why our muscles cramp spontaneously. Newer theories suggest the cause lies in neuromuscular mechanisms [3]. This is where the acetic acid in pickle juice comes into play.
Acetic Acid: The Secret Weapon in Pickle Juice
Recent studies have shown that acetic acid can play a significant role in reducing and shortening cramps [4]. Scientists propose the following theories:
- Reducing Alpha Motor Neuron Activity: Acetic acid stimulates the area around the mouth and throat, triggering a reflex that reduces the activity of nerve cells responsible for muscle contractions. This inhibition of nerve cells can help alleviate and reduce the frequency of muscle cramps.
- Promoting Inhibitory Neurotransmitters: Acetic acid encourages the production of neurotransmitters in the spinal cord that help relax muscles and prevent cramps. These neurotransmitters reduce the overexcitability of muscle cells, decreasing the likelihood of cramps.
-
Supporting Acetylcholine Synthesis: Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in muscle contraction and relaxation. Acetic acid supports the production of acetylcholine, improving neuromuscular function and helping to prevent muscle cramps [5].
A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research examined various substances commonly used by athletes to prevent muscle cramps. The scientists analysed the acetic acid content and the effectiveness of products like pickle juice, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, and sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade [6].
Does Pickle Juice Live Up to the Hype?
According to the study, yes. Here are the key findings:
- Sports Drinks: While sports drinks contain small amounts of diluted citric acid, they do not have significant amounts of acetic acid. They are suitable for replenishing fluids and electrolytes but probably don't help prevent or stop cramps.
- Pickle Juice: About 74 milliliters of pickle juice could help prevent or stop annoying cramps. It contains significant and sufficiently concentrated amounts of acetic acid and has a relatively mild taste.
- Yellow Mustard: Yellow mustard is also a good source of acetic acid and is easy to transport and consume in small packets. Depending on the brand, 1.5-3 packets may be necessary to effectively prevent cramps during sports.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has the highest concentration of acetic acid, so even a teaspoon contains the necessary amount. However, the taste might be too strong, especially during sports.
Drinking pickle juice or swallowing mustard packets may not sound appealing—but when the alternative is a muscle cramp, it might be worth having some in your gym bag!
What Else Can Help Treat Muscle Cramps?
In addition to the scientifically proven pickle juice, mustard, and vinegar, there are other home remedies that some athletes swear by. These include taking quinine, which is found in tonic water [7], and increasing magnesium intake. Regular stretching exercises and a balanced diet may also help reduce the frequency and intensity of muscle cramps.
Dehydration should be avoided by drinking enough fluids. If cramps are particularly frequent or long-lasting, it's advisable to consult a doctor to identify the exact cause, rule out underlying conditions, and find an appropriate treatment.
Conclusion: Pickle Juice for Muscle Cramps
According to scientific findings, pickle juice does indeed help against cramps. The acid in pickle juice, yellow mustard, and similar products helps prevent muscle cramps. So next time you're preparing for a workout or competition, consider packing some in your gym bag.
Have you tried it yourself? Or do you have another miracle cure for cramps? Send us an email or message us on Instagram and let us know!
Sources
[1] Jung AP, Bishop PA, Al-Nawwas A, Dale RB. Influence of Hydration and Electrolyte Supplementation on Incidence and Time to Onset of Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps. J Athl Train. 2005 Jun;40(2):71-75.
[2] Schwellnus MP. Cause of exercise associated muscle cramps (EAMC)--altered neuromuscular control, dehydration or electrolyte depletion? Br J Sports Med. 2009 Jun;43(6):401-8.
[3] Miller KC, Mack GW, Knight KL, Hopkins JT, Draper DO, Fields PJ, Hunter I. Three percent hypohydration does not affect threshold frequency of electrically induced cramps. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 Nov;42(11):2056-63.
[4] Miller KC, Mack GW, Knight KL, Hopkins JT, Draper DO, Fields PJ, Hunter I. Reflex inhibition of electrically induced muscle cramps in hypohydrated humans. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 May;42(5):953-61.
[5] Colović MB, Krstić DZ, Lazarević-Pašti TD, Bondžić AM, Vasić VM. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: pharmacology and toxicology. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2013 May;11(3):315-35.
[6] Hooper Marosek SE, Antharam V, Dowlatshahi K. Quantitative Analysis of the Acetic Acid Content in Substances Used by Athletes for the Possible Prevention and Alleviation of Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps. J Strength Cond Res. 2020 Jun;34(6):1539-1546.
[7] El-Tawil S, Al Musa T, Valli H, Lunn MP, Brassington R, El-Tawil T, Weber M. Quinine for muscle cramps. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Apr 5;2015(4):CD005044.