Could this unusual trick help alleviate period cramps?

Between bloating, headaches, and menstrual cramps, maintaining your normal lifestyle when you’re on your cycle isn’t always easy. To combat some of these painful symptoms, some TikTok users have stumbled across a rather unusual hack to relieve period-related cramps. The idea? Drinking pickle juice.

Why pickle juice?

Many users praise the benefits of pickle juice, A.K.A. pickle brine, and for good reason. As a result of its high sodium and potassium content, pickle juice is full of electrolytes and can help counteract muscle cramps. The brine in pickle juice can work similarly to a post-workout electrolyte drink, such as Gatorade. In fact, a 2010 study found that pickle brine could reduce the duration of cramps in athletes, with some professional athletes opting to sip brine instead of traditional post-workout drinks.

Can pickle juice alleviate menstrual cramps?

Unfortunately, there is no hard evidence to suggest that pickle juice can prevent period cramps. Muscle cramps are not the same as those that can occur during menstruation. Cramp-causing uterine contractions are due to prostaglandins rather than the balance between water and electrolytes, which often causes other muscle cramps. That said, some researchers suggest there could be a placebo effect at play. Next time you experience menstrual cramps, there’s no harm in trying it out!

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