https://www.cooperinstitute.org/blog/does-pickle-juice-relieve-muscle-cramps
"Now, you might be saying, wait a minute, pickle juice works for me. Yes, there is research showing pickle juice shortens muscle cramp duration, but not because of its high electrolyte concentration. In fact, it takes about 30 minutes for even small volumes (2/3 cup) of pickle juice to leave the stomach (Miller et al., 2010a). Hence, blood electrolyte levels would not increase quickly enough to explain cramp relief. However, the acetic acid in pickle juice is ‘noxious tasting’ and proposed to chemically stimulate a reflex in the back of the throat. This reflex has been shown to decrease activity in the alpha motor neurons which causes muscle relaxation. You don’t even have to swallow the pickle juice to trigger the reflex, which can relieve cramps in less than 3-4 minutes (Miller, 2010b). It is possible that other noxious tasting substances may also provide relief from exercise-associated muscle cramps."
And:
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-muscle-cramps-foods
Bananas: A Time-Tested Treatment
"You probably know that bananas are a good source of potassium. But they’ll also give you magnesium and calcium. That’s three out of four nutrients you need to ease muscle cramps tucked under that yellow peel. No wonder bananas are a popular, quick choice for cramp relief."
So instead of paying $30 all I need to spend is $1.99 for pickles and $1.39 for a bunch of bananas. I’m glad that I love pickles and bananas, LOL.
Cathy
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