Why are athletes recommended pickle juice when they cramp?
Carlos Alcaraz had problems. After sensationally playing second set against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the French Open, his body began to falter.
He’s fast, agile and has the stamina to track down lost balls in the blink of an eye. However, after two sets of intense tennis, during which he covered every inch of the Philippe Chatrier, he had to slow down due to cramps.
What could he possibly have done to make a comeback? Well, he could have tried an unconventional therapy, which was pickle juice to ease the pain. In recent years there has been growing interest in the use of pickle juice as a potential cure for muscle spasms. Although the exact mechanisms behind its effectiveness are not fully understood, several theories have been proposed.
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Why does Pickle Juice work against cramps?
The Sodium Vinegar Theory:
One theory is that the sodium content in pickle juice, along with the vinegar, may help replenish electrolytes and prevent cramps. Electrolytes like sodium play a crucial role in muscle function and an imbalance can lead to cramps.
The oropharyngeal reflex theory:
Another 2010 study suggested a different mechanism for pickle juice’s potential benefits. This study found that pickle juice could shorten the duration of cramps, providing relief in about 1.5 minutes on average, which was 45 percent faster than no treatment. The researchers hypothesized that the sour taste of pickle juice might trigger an oropharyngeal reflex that distracts the brain from the spasm and inhibits the firing of alpha motor neurons in the spasmed muscle. According to this theory, the flavor of the pickle juice, rather than the actual juice itself, may be responsible for cramp relief.
What did Carlos Alcaraz say about his cramps?
“I would say the first and second sets were very, very intense and I got cramps in my arm. By the start of the third set, I started cramping all over my body, not just my legs. The arms, every part of the legs too,” Alcaraz told reporters after the game.
“The tension. The tension of the game. I started the game very nervously. The tension in the first set, in the second set, they were two really intense sets.”
Did Carlos Alcaraz have cramps earlier in his career?
Yes, the top tennis player also suffered from cramps in the third round of the 2021 US Open when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fifth round tiebreak.
What does the expert say about the effectiveness of pickle juice?
Speaking to the BBC, Dr. Mayur Ranchordas – Lecturer in Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism at Sheffield Hallam University who also works with professional cyclists and Premier League footballers – outlined the benefits of pickle juice.
“Preserved juice contains sodium, potassium and vinegar and the obvious conclusion would be that it replaces sodium and salts lost from exercising in a hot and humid environment like the Australian Open, thus preventing cramps,” said Dr. Ranchordas.
“In reality, however, it works by triggering a reflex in the mouth that sends a signal to prevent muscle spasms. That is why it is drunk when convulsions occur. It stops cramps 40% faster than drinking water.”
To brave the sweltering heat of Tokyo, the Indian women’s ice hockey team also used cucumber juice.
“If it was back-to-back games, the girls would drink that after breakfast or depending on when the game was. And then when the cramps started, they got additional shots if needed,” said Wayne Lombard, India’s strength and conditioning coach at the time Indian Express.
Russian Daniil Medvedev has also been spotted drinking this potion on several occasions to combat heat and the resulting cramps.
Some even claim it is a cure for hangovers and also for good breath as it kills oral bacteria.
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