Electrolyte and plasma responses after pickle juice, mustard, and deionized water ingestion in dehydrated humans

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.

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.

Crossover study.

Laboratory.

A total of 9 physically active, nonacclimated individuals (age = 25 ± 2 years, height = 175.5 ± 9.0 cm, mass = 78.6 ± 13.8 kg).

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.

The dependent variables were [Na(+)]p, [K(+)]p, OSMp, and percentage change in plasma Na(+) content and plasma volume.

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).

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.