It is an incredibly painful problem that troubles even the most experienced of runners and athletes—leg muscle cramps.
But there could be a simple solution—drinking pickle juice, revealed NHS GP Dr Sooj, in a video recently posted on TikTok to his 250,000 followers.
The peculiar sounding trick has been used by professional footballers like Newcastle star Kieran Trippier, who was previously seen drinking a sachet of the juice.
Similarly, ex-Arsenal star Lucas Torreira was spotted drinking pickle juice during his side’s win over Chelsea in 2019.
It has even been used by the Lionesses who reportedly stocked up on pickle juice for their Euro 2024 campaign.
While it is a simple hack Dr Sooj said ‘athletes swear by’, he added the science behind it remains unclear.
He referred to a study of patients with liver cirrhosis—permanent scarring of the organ—that found pickle juice reduced the severity of muscle cramps more than water.
While he added it didn’t stop the muscle cramps completely, other studies have found more evidence that the remedy is in fact effective.
The pickle juice hack has been used by professional footballers to tackle troublesome cramps
A 2020 study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, found pickle juice to be one of the most effective foods for treating muscle cramps.
This is because the salt contained in the juice can provide a key electrolyte to the body, which can ease a heavy session of sweat-related cramps.
Salt is an ingredient in many in sports drinks, along with other minerals such as potassium, another element which is found in pickle juice which can help you stay hydrated for longer.
Pickle juice is also packed with antioxidants and vitamins C and E, which are believed to support the immune system, as well as bolster other health functions.
Vinegar, which is the main ingredient in pickling liquid, is backed by some research that suggests it could be beneficial for weight management, as it may help to control blood sugar and reduce appetite.
Dr Sooj was reacting to a viral video in which a woman claimed that the bizarre hack could help with period cramps.
‘It is thought drinking two to three ounces [60-85ml] of pickle juice for menstrual cramps can help because it has a high electrolyte content,’ he said.
These ‘can help to ease muscle cramps and the vinegar may also trigger a reflex that promotes muscle relaxation and reduces pain’, he explained.
However he added: ‘Remember the plural of anecdote is not data and there isn’t much evidence that pickle juice would be helpful for menstrual cramps.
‘But if you do want to give it a try make sure to do it in moderation, because the high sodium content can be risky for those with certain health conditions.’
At the end of the video, he invited social media users to let him know if they’ve found it effective.
One user commented: ‘Yes it’s true. I struggle sometimes with cramps. It really helps.’
Meanwhile, another user commented: ‘Pickle juice helps my migraines.’