Latest news with #musclecramps
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Insomniacs are claiming a popular condiment - eaten neat - helps them sleep well... even more surprising, doctors say they're right
A woman has claimed a spoonful of mustard before bed stopped the painful muscle cramps that were stopping her from sleeping—and it's not too good to be true. In a video posted on TikTok posted by @susiegriffin17, which has amassed more than 40,000 views, Susie Griffen said: 'I have a legitimate question for #DoctorTok that deals with mustard and leg cramps.' She explained that painful muscle cramps had left her unable to get any sleep—which she vitally needed to recover while in hospital after a surgery for a shattered ankle. In a bid to help ease the persistent pain, a nurse surprisingly brought her a packet of mustard, which she said would help. The nurse, Ms Griffen claims, told her it was a simple trick she'd learnt from her dialysis patients that, despite her not knowing why for certain, seemed to work. In the comments, social media users shared it has worked for them too, with one user saying 'I use mustard all the time for leg cramps'. And in a recent video, responding to her question, Dr Kunal Sood a US-based anesthesiologist said the nurse was right. Posting on his own TikTok channel, he said: 'There is anecdotal evidence, and the hypothesized reason is because mustard contains acetic acid, which is found in vinegar.' This he said will decrease muscle activity downstream by stimulating TRP receptors in your mouth, also called transient receptor channels. He said: 'Basically muscle cramps are caused by a glitch in the connection between muscles and neurons.' And he explained, when the acetic acid in mustard activates these TRP receptors, they will override and correct the misfiring. The hypothesized reason he referred to was from 2020 study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Their analysis of other studies led them to hypothesize that yellow mustards could be practical in athletes to prevent or alleviate muscle cramps. But he added: 'Mustard also contains both magnesium and potassium which can help correct any electrolyte imbalance.' There is evidence that both magnesium and potassium are associated with longer sleep duration and better sleep quality. If you'd like to try he advised it is recommended to start with a teaspoon of the mustard. However, if your muscle cramps continue to persist, he warned you should speak with a doctor. In the comment section, social media users shared how they've used the simple trick too. One user said: 'Our high school football team used to keep mustard packets on the sidelines. Another wrote: 'It sure does help! I've been dealing with leg cramps for 10 years and a little squirt of mustard before bed will help do the trick.' A third user comment: 'Yes, a teaspoon stops the cramps. Also a sip of pickle juice works.' This was another trick that in the comment section of both videos, social media users also recommended. In the same study, the researchers hypothesized that juice from all types of pickles could also help prevent and alleviate muscle cramps. It comes just a week after Dr Sood claimed a spoonful of peanut butter before bed can help you sleep better throughout the night. This is because it contains tryptophan—an amino acid vital for the production of serotonin—'which can have a calming effect on your brain' said Dr Kunal Sood. Some studies have suggested different foods with tryptophan can help improve sleep quality. But it is also high in healthy fats which prevent blood sugar level spikes, which can be a cause for waking up during the night, added the US-based anesthesiologist.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
How pickle juice can fix muscle cramps
Well+Being How pickle juice can fix muscle cramps July 25, 2025 | 5:21 PM GMT Ask A Doctor columnist Dr. Trisha Pasricha tries a trick that many athletes use to check muscle cramps—a sip of pickle juice. This content was created independently by The Washington Post and is not influenced by the advertiser and their affiliates. The advertiser had no involvement in the reporting, writing, or editing of this article or video. Presented by Amazon One Medical.
Medical News Today
01-07-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Does dehydration cause muscle cramps?
Dehydration may be one cause of muscle cramps, and some evidence suggests that electrolyte imbalances also contribute to cramps are painful, involuntary contractions of the muscles that cause them to suddenly tighten. They are temporary, and stretching the affected muscle usually helps relieve are still not clear about the exact cause of muscle cramps, but dehydration and electrolyte imbalances may play a article looks at dehydration and muscle cramps, other possible causes and risk factors, and how to manage and prevent does dehydration cause muscle cramps?According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), exercising in hot weather can increase the risk of muscle cramps. This is because the body loses fluids, salt, and electrolytes in sweat. The loss of these substances may cause the muscles to spasm and to a 2019 article, there is inconclusive evidence on whether dehydration causes muscle cramps, but changes in water and salt balance may cause sweating, intense exercise, or exercising in hot weather may cause dehydration if people lose more water than they take can lead to an electrolyte imbalance, which occurs if electrolyte levels in the body are too high or too low. Electrolytes are minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium that support many important processes in the large quantities of plain water without replacing electrolytes may also cause muscle cramps, although there is not enough conclusive evidence to confirm else can cause muscle cramps?Researchers do not know the exact cause of muscle cramps, but the following factors may play a role:muscle fatigue and inadequate stretching, which may cause abnormalities in certain processes that control muscle contractionpoor conditioning, which includes strength and flexibilityRegular stretching helps lengthen muscle fibers, allowing them to function better when exercising. The spinal cord produces automatic reflexes, including muscle responses. Poor conditioning can increase the likelihood of muscle fatigue and affect automatic reduces the amount of oxygen to a muscle, which can cause waste products to build up and cause a muscle spasm. As the cramp starts, spinal cord reflexes stimulate the muscle to continue contracting.A 2022 study of 98 marathon runners found that runners who experienced muscle cramps did not show greater levels of dehydration or electrolyte loss after the marathon, but had significantly higher biomarkers of muscle damage than those without study suggests that muscle damage may contribute to muscle cramps and that strength training may have protective to manage dehydration crampsWays to help manage dehydration cramps include:stopping the activity that triggered the muscle crampmassaging and stretching the affected muscle, keeping it in the outstretched position until the cramping stopsapplying a warm compress to tight musclesrehydrating and maintaining hydrationafter exercise, replenishing electrolytes as necessary through consuming sports drinks, cow's milk, foods such as bananas, yogurt, lentils, and spinach, or an oral rehydration solution»More on this:How to treat and prevent leg muscle crampsHow to prevent crampsImproving overall fitness and conditioning may help prevent muscle cramps. People can increase their flexibility through regular stretching, particularly before and after to prevent muscle cramps include:stretching out the muscle groups most prone to cramping, such as calf, hamstring, and quadricep stretchesavoiding overexertionstaying hydrated by sipping unsweetened soft drinks regularly, particularly during exercise and in hot weathermaintaining electrolyte balance by consuming foods or drinks with electrolytesRisk factors for muscle crampsRisk factors for muscle cramps include:illness or overweightoverexertioncertain medications, including diuretics, statins, and pseudoephedrine, which is a decongestantPeople who may have an increased risk of muscle cramps include:infants, young children, and people over the age of 65endurance athletesolder adults who carry out strenuous physical activityFrequently asked questionsWhat's the difference between taking electrolytes and plain water for cramp prevention?Drinking plain water may help prevent dehydration cramps, as it helps maintain fluid balance in the someone anticipates sweating a lot, they can ensure they have a source of electrolytes to consume alongside plain water. Drinking too much plain water may cause an electrolyte imbalance. Drinking plain water may help prevent dehydration cramps, as it helps maintain fluid balance in the someone anticipates sweating a lot, they can ensure they have a source of electrolytes to consume alongside plain water. Drinking too much plain water may cause an electrolyte imbalance. How quickly should I hydrate if I feel a cramp coming on?It is best to hydrate as soon as possible if people feel a cramp coming on, as a loss of fluids and electrolytes may contribute to muscle is best to hydrate as soon as possible if people feel a cramp coming on, as a loss of fluids and electrolytes may contribute to muscle do I get muscle cramps at night?Nocturnal leg cramps may link to depression or heart problems. Other causes may include: dehydration pregnancy ageing certain medications, such as diuretics muscle overexertion liver diseaseNocturnal leg cramps may link to depression or heart problems. Other causes may include: dehydration pregnancy ageing certain medications, such as diuretics muscle overexertion liver diseaseHow much should I drink during exercise to prevent cramps?This depends on the person, the temperature they are exercising in, how much they sweat, how strenuous the activity is, and the duration of the exercising in the heat, people can aim to drink 8 to 12 ounces of fluid every 15 minutes. Staying well-hydrated may help prevent is important to hydrate before and after exercise too. Avoid drinking more than 1.5 liters of water per hour to prevent low sodium levels. This depends on the person, the temperature they are exercising in, how much they sweat, how strenuous the activity is, and the duration of the exercising in the heat, people can aim to drink 8 to 12 ounces of fluid every 15 minutes. Staying well-hydrated may help prevent is important to hydrate before and after exercise too. Avoid drinking more than 1.5 liters of water per hour to prevent low sodium levels. When to contact a doctorIt is important to contact a doctor if people experience muscle cramps that:are severeoccur frequentlydo not improve with home remedies such as stretchingare not due to an obvious cause, such as dehydration or strenuous exerciseMuscle cramps are generally harmless but may be a sign of a problem relating to:circulationnutritionhormonesmedicationsnervesmetabolismIn some cases, muscle cramps may be a sign of an underlying condition, such as:irritation or compression of the spinal nervesnarrowing of the spinal canalthyroid diseasechronic infectionhardening of the arteriesliver cirrhosisamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)SummaryMuscle cramps may occur due to dehydration and imbalances in water and electrolyte levels. Muscle fatigue and damage may also contribute to muscle replenishing electrolytes, and stretching may all help resolve dehydration cramps. If muscle cramps are severe or frequent, it is important to contact a doctor to determine the underlying cause.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Why do athletes take pickle juice?
It might not be your tipple of choice. But for many athletes, pickle juice has become a Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were both seen sipping what was thought to be pickle juice during their five-set thriller of a French Open seeing athletes swigging the salty stuff isn't anything Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira was pictured drinking from a bottle labelled "pickle juice" back in 2019, and it became part of the England team's strategy to combat cramp in players at Euro juice is normally taken by athletes who are involved in sports with long durations, an hour and a half or more, or anything that involves intermittent or repeated muscle contractions. How does pickle juice help athletes? Pickle juice is used by athletes as a means of easing muscle acidic liquid is a concentrated source of electrolytes, containing sodium and potassium. It has been found to stop cramping 40% faster than drinking is thought that pickle juice works by disrupting 'neural signalling' - triggering a reflex in the mouth which sends a signal to stop muscles from can happen almost instantaneously - relieving cramping quickly. How should athletes use pickle juice? Mayur Ranchordas - a professor of sports nutrition and exercise at Sheffield Hallam University - believes there is still a misconception that pickle juice can be used to prevent muscle is no evidence to suggest that drinking the juice before a sports event would have any benefit. Instead, athletes should be taking it at the onset of cramp - but not drink it. "Rather than drinking it, you need to rinse it in your mouth for 20 to 30 seconds. That's when the vinegar and salt start to act, then you can spit it out", Ranchordas told BBC mistake that some athletes make is to rinse their mouth out with water, to get rid of the that sensation - of taking pickle juice and wanting to scrunch up your mouth in response - stops the mechanisms firing which ease the cramp. Ranchordas, who is also the head of nutrition at Aston Villa football club, says that adding chilli to the jar of pickles, and letting the chilli infuse, can make the pickle juice even more effective. "The more horrible the taste, the more effective it is." What's wrong with a sports drink? The more palatable option - for the non-pickle-lovers out there - might be a sweet sports the unique offering of pickle juice that it can disrupt the message sent to the brain that a muscle is is a much faster method of easing cramping than having an electrolyte, which you have to digest and Emma Tester - a performance nutritionist currently working at the UK Sports Institute - told BBC Sport that more research is needed to understand the added benefits of pickle juice."There is not a huge amount [of research] out there definitely saying 'yes, it's really going to work. It is down to the individual, whether they feel it is beneficial." Could you just eat lots of pickles, then? Not quite. Pickle juice is thought to be effective because of the concentration of electrolytes, combined with the lots of pickles might not be very comfortable on the stomach either, nor very practical. It might not be easy to munch some pickles on the side lines of a football pitch, or on court between games of a tennis match. Are there any risks? Pickle juice might not sit well with everyone, potentially causing digestive issues because it is so concentrated and Tester says she has seen athletes "puke on the side of the pitch" after taking pickle juice, which can hinder performance rather than help it."Everything needs to be practiced. Just like performance is practiced, nutrition performance should also be practiced," she said. This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team. What is Ask Me Anything? Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio. More questions answered... When does the first summer transfer window close?What are penalty points in F1 and how do they work?What do Portugal get for winning the Nations League?
