Electrolyte and Plasma Responses After Pickle Juice, Mustard, and Deionized Water Ingestion in Dehydrated Humans

Abstract

Context: Some athletes ingest pickle juice (PJ) or mustard to treat exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs). Clinicians warn against this because they are concerned it will exacerbate exercise-induced hypertonicity or cause hyperkalemia. Few researchers have examined plasma responses after PJ or mustard ingestion in dehydrated, exercised individuals. Objective: To determine if ingesting PJ, mustard, or deionized water (DIW) while hypohydrated affects plasma sodium (Na+) concentration ([Na+]p), plasma potassium (K+) concentration ([K+]p), plasma osmolality (OSMp), or percentage changes in plasma volume or Na+ content. Design: Crossover study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 9 physically active, nonacclimated individuals (age = 25 ± 2 years, height = 175.5 ± 9.0 cm, mass = 78.6 ± 13.8 kg). Intervention(s): Participants exercised vigorously for 2 hours (temperature = 37°C ± 1°C, relative humidity = 24% ± 4%). After a 30-minute rest, a baseline blood sample was collected, and they ingested 1 mL/kg body mass of PJ or DIW. For the mustard trial, participants ingested a mass of mustard containing a similar amount of Na+ as for the PJ trial. Postingestion blood samples were collected at 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. Main Outcome Measure(s): The dependent variables were [Na+]p, [K+]p, OSMp, and percentage change in plasma Na+ content and plasma volume. Results: Participants became 2.9% ± 0.6% hypohydrated and lost 96.8 ± 27.1 mmol (conventional unit = 96.8 ± 27.1 mEq) of Na+, 8.4 ± 2 mmol (conventional unit = 8.4 ± 2 mEq) of K+, and 2.03 ± 0.44 L of fluid due to exercise-induced sweating. They ingested approximately 79 mL of PJ or DIW or 135.24 ± 22.8 g of mustard. Despite ingesting approximately 1.5 g of Na+ in the PJ and mustard trials, no changes occurred within 60 minutes postingestion for [Na+]p, [K+]p, OSMp, or percentage changes in plasma volume or Na+ content (P > .05). Conclusions: Ingesting a small bolus of PJ or large mass of mustard after dehydration did not exacerbate exercise-induced hypertonicity or cause hyperkalemia. Consuming small volumes of PJ or mustard did not fully replenish electrolytes and fluid losses. Additional research on plasma responses pre-ingestion and postingestion to these treatments in individuals experiencing acute EAMCs is needed.

Plasma and Electrolyte Changes in Exercising Humans After Ingestion of Multiple Boluses of Pickle Juice

“…14 However, others have observed no changes in plasma electrolyte concentrations, OSM p , or plasma volume when euhydrated 17 or mildly hypohydrated [18][19][20] individuals ingested small volumes (approximately 80 mL) of PJ. Furthermore, ingesting PJ did not alter perceived thirst or the volume of water ingested ad libitum postexercise.…”

“…19 Previous examinations of the effect of PJ on the extracellular fluid space had 3 limitations. [17][18][19][20][21] First, the authors only provided 1 bolus of PJ at 1 time, either preexercise 17,21 or postexercise. [18][19][20] Anecdotally, some athletic trainers give athletes PJ multiple times over the course of an exercise session to treat or prevent EAMC (eg, before a game or at halftime).…”

Impact of Nutrition-Based Interventions on Athletic Performance during Menstrual Cycle Phases: A Review

“…As summarized in Table 1 , eleven studies assessing athletic outcomes related to hydration-based interventions originated from the United Kingdom [ 28 ], the United States [ 29 , 30 ], Greece [ 31 ], Japan [ 32 ], Hong Kong [ 33 ], China [ 34 ], Mexico [ 35 ], Canada [ 36 ], Australia [ 37 ], and New Zealand [ 38 ]. Four studies included recreationally active women [ 28 , 30 , 34 , 36 ]; two studies included moderately trained runners [ 31 , 33 ]; two studies included aerobically conditioned participants [ 29 , 37 ]; one study included amateur spinners [ 35 ]; one study included soccer players [ 38 ]; and one study included participants not trained in endurance activities [ 32 ]. Nine studies measured performance outcomes in the follicular phase [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ] related to physiologic markers of dehydration or exercise capacity and tolerance.…”

The Effect of Vinegar Supplementation on High-Intensity Cycling Performance within Recreationally Trained Individuals

“…The few published human investigations into acetic acid supplementation are within the arena of athletic training and used pickle juice to determine the impact on performance, particularly in reducing muscle cramps [ 19 , 20 ]. For instance, Peikert et al reported no significant impact in time to exhaustion, rectal temperature, changes in plasma volume, and sweat volume following the consumption of 2 mL/kg of pickle juice, hypertonic saline, or deionized water [ 19 ].…”

“…For instance, Peikert et al reported no significant impact in time to exhaustion, rectal temperature, changes in plasma volume, and sweat volume following the consumption of 2 mL/kg of pickle juice, hypertonic saline, or deionized water [ 19 ]. Additionally, Miller et al reported that consuming 1 mL/kg of pickle juice or deionized water did not exacerbate exercise-induced hypertonicity or cause hyperkalemia [ 20 ]. It must be noted that the studies involving the consumption of acetic acid via pickle juice were more focused on the sodium content rather than on the vinegar content.…”