Made my own Pickle Juice to alleviate cramping

[Talker]

Originally Posted by Fugazi

I might try pickle juice someday if necessary, but for now drinking a calcium-potassium-sodium-magnesium mixture is making miracles for me. The best option is probably the Clif Shot Electrolyte Drink, but modified Gatorade (with added sodium, magnesium, and potassium) can also do the trick.

This sounds pretty good.

You can buy some Potassium Magnesium Aspartate cheap and mix that with gatorade. Or in pill form as it doesn't taste too good.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Talker

This sounds pretty good.

You can buy some Potassium Magnesium Aspartate cheap and mix that with gatorade. Or in pill form as it doesn't taste too good.

Electrolytes are excellent, but cramps aren't always the result of low electrolytes and/or lack of hydration.

For some people (like me), tired/fatigued muscles causes muscle nerve fiber to misfire, essentially telling the muscle to cramp rather than relax. The vinegar runs interference with the process and disrupts the mixed signals. The muscle relaxes as a result (according to current scientific research).

Many times while at home relaxing, hours after leaving the court, certain muscles will start twitching and will then cramp. I'm hoping the pickle juice will alleviate this post-exercise cramping as well.

[Power Player]

I get the same exact same thing..my toes and calves will cramp after playing. When it happens on the court it is usually severe enough to end my time there.

If your mixture lasts long term in the fridge then I will just do that. Sounds like an awesome little concoction to dose during a match.

[Bud]

Gotta say the pickle juice works pretty darned great

Not a single full-on cramp since I've started using it. I can feel them coming on.. take about an ounce and it takes it right away.

I also drink an ounce when I arrive home to prevent any post-exercise cramping.

[Power Player]

I went old school and bought a jar of pickles.

Poured out 2 ozs of to shoot down before I went to play. It worked well. No cramps.

Probably a placebo but I did not feel any twinges on my calves..you guys who get calf cramps probably know what I am talking about. You can get them when you are really going all out for a ball. They are like a precursor to a cramp.

Everything felt good.

[Dedans Penthouse]

Below, a post from 5 years back extolling the virtues of pickle brine.

Bud, a few comments: the magic ingrediant in pickle juice (i.e. brine) isn't so much the vinegar but chloride. To that end, there are a number of "vinegar-less" (naturally fermented) pickle brands ( e.g., www.bubbies.com/prod_pure_kosher_dills.shtml ) that are very effective--Bubblis kosher sour dills are 24-carat kick ***--the brine looks like grey, soapy dishwater! Secondly, I would think twice about using sugar in your recipe as sugar can have a tendency to 'settle' in the tummy. Long story short: I'd suggest the sour-brines (esp. those found in the "refrigerator section" of the store) over sugar-containing "bread & butter" type juice.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...9&postcount=20

[r2473]

I've always had good luck with cheap beer.

That and stretching.

[Rickson]

Why not eat bananas instead? You cats are just asking for high blood pressure with all that pickle juice.

[Power Player]

Its just 2 ounces...

[slice bh compliment]

Originally Posted by Rickson

Why not eat bananas instead? You cats are just asking for high blood pressure with all that pickle juice.

I like this.

Also an apple, a banana, some coconut water, a lot of water, the occasional date/fig/raisin, and more water.

You guys ever try aloe vera juice?

I have it in the blender with three tangerines, a banana, some fresh ginger and some ice. So good. I wonder if adding some vinegar would be smart this time of year?

I also think people forget to eat well AFTER a serious workout. I like to cool down with spicy food. I like Thai food with some fish, chicken or beef in it. Cucumbers and watermelon are cooling. One beer never hurt anybody. I think it's a great recovery drink, even though it's got some alcohol.

[Power Player]

I don't think you understand. I have played sports all my life and always dealt with leg cramps no matter what. It sucks man..real bad down here in Florida where the humidity sucks the water out of you.

If it was as simple as water and a banana, this would be a non issue.

tons of Football programs use pickle juice now do to this very reason. It is a rather common solution to leg cramps and so far it has worked for me.

I will put it like this, if I get a calf cramp, I am done. It's time to go home and fire up the xbox or call a Power Playette for a massage.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Dedans Penthouse

Below, a post from 5 years back extolling the virtues of pickle brine.

Bud, a few comments: the magic ingrediant in pickle juice (i.e. brine) isn't so much the vinegar but chloride. To that end, there are a number of "vinegar-less" (naturally fermented) pickle brands ( e.g., www.bubbies.com/prod_pure_kosher_dills.shtml ) that are very effective--Bubblis kosher sour dills are 24-carat kick ***--the brine looks like grey, soapy dishwater! Secondly, I would think twice about using sugar in your recipe as sugar can have a tendency to 'settle' in the tummy. Long story short: I'd suggest the sour-brines (esp. those found in the "refrigerator section" of the store) over sugar-containing "bread & butter" type juice.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...9&postcount=20

Recent scientific evidence suggests that vinegar is the ingredient that relieves the cramps. Some people also use mustard packets to immediately stop cramps (again, the vinegar seems to be the key).

I agree with you about the sugar. You can mix in any amount to suit your taste. In my next batch, I'll leave it out. However, you have to remember that you're only using about an ounce of the juice when cramps occasionally strike. That's not enough sugar or salt to even fret over, IMO.

Originally Posted by Power Player

I don't think you understand. I have played sports all my life and always dealt with leg cramps no matter what. It sucks man..real bad down here in Florida where the humidity sucks the water out of you.

If it was as simple as water and a banana, this would be a non issue.

tons of Football programs use pickle juice now do to this very reason. It is a rather common solution to leg cramps and so far it has worked for me.

I will put it like this, if I get a calf cramp, I am done. It's time to go home and fire up the xbox or call a Power Playette for a massage.

Agreed. As was stated earlier in the thread, for some people it's not lack of hydration or electrolytes that causes cramping. So drinking more water or eating more potassium is useless.

If you cramp while also imbibing plenty of water and electrolytes then the pickle juice may be for you.

[LuckyR]

Leave out the salt and post back if the vinegar solution is still working for you...

[Bud]

Originally Posted by LuckyR

Leave out the salt and post back if the vinegar solution is still working for you...

I take in salt in my electrolyte drinks and still get cramps. In fact, I even add some Morton Lite Salt for extra potassium with no additional success alleviating cramps.

It's definitely the vinegar, not the salt. The salt makes the vinegar solution more palatable, however.

[LuckyR]

Originally Posted by Bud

I take in salt in my electrolyte drinks and still get cramps. In fact, I even add some Morton Lite Salt for extra potassium with no additional success alleviating cramps.

It's definitely the vinegar, not the salt. The salt makes the vinegar solution more palatable, however.

The salt level in pickle juice (either from a pickle bottle or from the sports drink of that name) is way, way higher than in sports drinks, so I wouldn't use experience with sports drinks as evidence of anything, necessarily. I am not aware that many put much stock on potassium playing a key role in cramping.

[slice bh compliment]

Well, why do some guys cramp easily and others do not?
Is it diet/drinks? Is it hydration pre-match?
Is it musculature? Genetics? Is it stress and the way a guy handles score? Is it breathing? Is it how efficiently a guy moves?

I think of cramps and I think of Michael Chang and Marcos Baghdatis. Shuzo Matsuoka.
Remember Pete after that 1995 Davis Cup match in Moscow? Ouch.
I think of guys who did not cramp much and I think of Federer.

[LuckyR]

Some folks are salt sparing perspirers others are salt losing perspirers (if there is a white band on your dark cap after a match you are the latter).

Of course, various individuals fluid load (or not) or salt load (or not).

[Bud]

Originally Posted by LuckyR

The salt level in pickle juice (either from a pickle bottle or from the sports drink of that name) is way, way higher than in sports drinks, so I wouldn't use experience with sports drinks as evidence of anything, necessarily. I am not aware that many put much stock on potassium playing a key role in cramping.

Yes, but you're drinking less than an ounce to relieve the cramps. There isn't enough salt in an ounce to make a difference. I still think it's the vinegar. The science seems to agree.

Originally Posted by slice bh compliment

Well, why do some guys cramp easily and others do not?
Is it diet/drinks? Is it hydration pre-match?
Is it musculature? Genetics? Is it stress and the way a guy handles score? Is it breathing? Is it how efficiently a guy moves?

I think of cramps and I think of Michael Chang and Marcos Baghdatis. Shuzo Matsuoka.
Remember Pete after that 1995 Davis Cup match in Moscow? Ouch.
I think of guys who did not cramp much and I think of Federer.

I think it's genetics. I've always been a cramper .. even when much younger

Originally Posted by LuckyR

Some folks are salt sparing perspirers others are salt losing perspirers (if there is a white band on your dark cap after a match you are the latter).

Of course, various individuals fluid load (or not) or salt load (or not).

I do have a salt ring on my cap after a long day of tennis. However, I take in plenty of salt so that's not an issue as far as the cramping.

- - - -

I played for 5 hours today. At about the 4th hour, my toes and right calf started cramping. Hit the pickle juice and bingo, cramps gone within a minute

What an amazing discovery for me this is! There is nothing worse than feeling the cramps traveling up your body .. from toes to calves, to thighs, to abdomen, etc.

I'll always pack a couple ounces of pickle juice whenever I play sports from now on.

[LuckyR]

Originally Posted by Bud

Yes, but you're drinking less than an ounce to relieve the cramps. There isn't enough salt in an ounce to make a difference. I still think it's the vinegar. The science seems to agree.



I think it's genetics. I've always been a cramper .. even when much younger



I do have a salt ring on my cap after a long day of tennis. However, I take in plenty of salt so that's not an issue as far as the cramping.

- - - -

I played for 5 hours today. At about the 4th hour, my toes and right calf started cramping. Hit the pickle juice and bingo, cramps gone within a minute

What an amazing discovery for me this is! There is nothing worse than feeling the cramps traveling up your body .. from toes to calves, to thighs, to abdomen, etc.

I'll always pack a couple ounces of pickle juice whenever I play sports from now on.

We all agree that the product you are using is great for the problem you are seeking to solve. Since you are making your own and can vary the formula, leave out the salt one time and report your findings. I, for one, am interested in your result.

BTW, I am not suprised (obviously) with your report of being a salt losing perspirer, and Shazam! you drink a very concentrated salt solution and your cramps disappear.

[Dedans Penthouse]

Originally Posted by slice bh compliment

I like this.

Also, an apple a banana.....

A man walks into a doctor's office. A huge cucumber is stuck up his nose, a carrot in his left ear and a banana in his right ear. "What's the matter with me?" he asks the doctor.

The doctor replies, "you're not eating properly."