In a Pickle? Don’t be
Pickle juice could be just the performance-enhancing drink your seeking.
Amazing Health Benefits of Pickle Juice:
- It helps you stay hydrated
- It soothes muscle cramps
- It helps the digestive system
- It contains antioxidants.
Top athletes have recently been spotted knocking back pickle juice to recover from cramp, but despite sounding less than glamorous the drink is also making waves among fitness and wellness buffs. Gone are the days of the magic sponge, Arsenal player Lucas Torreira was captured sipping from a bottle labelled ‘Pickle Juice” as a recovery aid during a match against Chelsea.
Whilst scientific research on the benefits of pickle juice is still in it infancy, it cannot be questioned that pickles are loaded with a ton of antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, and have been recorded as a healthy part of diets for centuries – some sources claim that Julius Caesar fed pickles to his troops to give them ‘physical and spiritual strength’.
Cramp is probably the most feared outcome for endurance athletes and low salt levels are one cause of muscle cramps during long runs. “Salt” generally refers to sodium, which is an essential electrolyte. When you drink pickle juice, you’ll get a hearty dose of sodium, although depending on the type of juice you buy, the amount will vary but can be up to 10 times more than a normal energy drink. As pickle juice is very high in sodium content it is best to dilute the juice with water for proper hydration levels to add in restoring fluid balance.
1) Stay Hydrated
For most people, drinking water for hydration after a easy workout is fine. But it’s a different story if you’re exercising hard, or exercising in hot climates. Drinking something with sodium and potassium can help you get hydrated faster. Sodium is an electrolyte that you lose when you sweat as is potassium. Pickle juice contains a lot of sodium and some potassium and sipping some pickle juice can help your body recover to its normal electrolyte levels more quickly.
2) Cramp Remedy
Pickle juice has been shown in some studies and through plenty of athlete anecdotes to stop a muscle cramp. Whilst the magnesium and sodium content in pickle juice is helpful in soothing the muscle cramps, the vinegar may decreases the nerve activity that causes cramp in tried legs. In a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, researchers suggest it’s not the electrolytes that ease cramps, but rather the biting vinegar taste, which may cause a reflex that impacts muscles. Exercise researchers at Brigham Young University in Utah showed that as muscles sized up ‘vinegar pickle juice; relieved cramp 45% faster than drinking no fluids and about 37% faster than water. Cramps were also shorter in duration.
3) Boosts your digestive system
Salt based pickle juice are probiotic , Probiotic bacteria is naturally produced in the digestive system, that help the body digest food and helps with immunity. Unfortunately, probiotic bacteria can be destroyed by antibiotics, very unhealthy eating, and even a basic head cold. High in nutritional value, pickle juice encourages the growth of probiotic bacteria and can be a health benefit to your digestive system.
4) Provides Antioxidants
Pickle juice is composed of vitamins C and E, all powerful antioxidants which prevent cell damage, protects the immune system and can helps from falling prey to illness or disease caused by harmful bacteria and viruses.
Verdict: the sharp and sweet pickle brine will not be to everybody’s taste but we like its ability to provide sports benefits, prevent muscle cramps and boost post-workout hydration
Right – time to pick up some pickle juice, then. – more information on the Pickle House can be found on their website here: Pickle House
