In the United States, pickle juice is fashion among sportsmen. The coaches advise their athletes to drink pickle juice when they have cramps.
According to them, drink a small amount (5 to 7 cl) of the acid juice, take away the cramps in 30 seconds!
Health professionals have added their personal touch by offering to dilute the juice with water to prevent it being hypertonic and brings too much sodium. In short, everyone goes his little recipe ... It is not far from Obelix and the magic potion but nothing scientific l!
Recently, researchers have studied the issue. They were given water, a diet drink or pickle juice, at a rate of 1 ml / kg to rested well hydrated athletes. Under these conditions, beverages administered did not cause changes in plasma volume or sodium content of plasma. In small quantities, these drinks do not seem the best to rehydrate and compensate for sodium losses that might sometimes cause cramping. In such small amounts, diluted or not vinegar pickles seems useless against cramps.
The positive effects sometimes observed are probably due to other mechanisms ... Moreover, the story does not say what it is about stomach cramps among regular users!
Electrolytes and plasma changes after ingestion of pickle juice, water, and a common carbohydrate-electrolyte solution. Miller KC, Mack G, Knight KL. J Athl Train. 2009 September-October, 44 (5) :454-61.
