Why Are Athletes Drinking Pickle Juice?
High fives to those of us who loved pickleback shots in college, which we all definitely took for the health benefits.
“Heated Rivalry.” The 2026 Winter Olympics. Norwegian biathletes showcasing their inability to make it three months without cheating on their girlfriends. This year, all eyes have been on international athletes’ triumphs, faceplants, and bizarre training rituals (and yes, lusty eye gazing). But there is one trend we think is equally sexy: Athletes drinking pickle juice.
From the ice rink to the tennis court, pickle juice has landed squarely in the sports zeitgeist for its electrolyte restoration and protection against muscle cramping.
It’s a far cry from TikTok fitness fads or preworkout scams — ahem, rituals (looking at you, overpriced protein powders your friend from high school is selling to their downline). The proof is in the pickle. Pickle juice stops muscle cramps 40% faster than water, according to research published in a sports medicine journal. It’s a remedy relished (😏) by athletes across a range of sports.
The N.H.L. player Blake Coleman has been known to chug it straight from the jar, even while standing in the penalty box, earning him the nickname “Pickles.” (Coleman also started his own pickle juice company, P20.) The tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz was seen downing pickle juice during his Australian Open semi-final match last year. The former Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has been drinking brine since at least 2019, when he was photographed by the Irish Sun swigging and spitting pickle juice during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Chelsea. Pickle juice was also key for the 2024 Euros English team, whose players used it to prevent and alleviate cramps, leading to legs so nimble they nearly snagged the top trophy as the tournament’s runners-up.
Were those of us taking pickleback shots in college unknowingly drinking a health aid for high-performing athletes? Well, yes and no.
According to research by the Cooper Institute at Texas Tech University, drinking pickle juice triggers a neurological reflex, brought on by the vinegar in the brine. The acidic punch of pickle juice triggers Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels in the mouth and throat. This sends a signal through the nervous system, and decreases the activity of alpha motor neurons, which are responsible for involuntary, overactive muscle contractions causing the cramp. Anecdotally, some athletes report that a gulp of pickle juice relieves muscle cramps in just 35 seconds.
But professor Mayur Ranchordas of Sports Nutrition and Exercise at Sheffield Hallam University warns pickle lovers not to be so quick to dive head first into the jar. Salty dill and vinegar brine won’t necessarily lead to easy digestion for everyone, and drinking it might not be the way to go at all.
“Rather than drinking it, you need to rinse it in your mouth for 20 to 30 seconds [at the onset of cramps],” Ranchordas said. “That's when the vinegar and salt start to act, then you can spit it out.” The neurological reflex kicks in as soon as the brine makes contact with the mouth and throat, meaning a swig ‘n spit is just as effective as a full sip.
This clarification hasn't stopped businesses from capitalizing on athletes’ obsession. Companies like Sucker Punch, The Pickle Juice Company and Lakeside are selling pickle juice to the masses as a quick shot solution for charley horses and dehydration. So whether you rinse, spit or swallow, you too can reap the benefits of pickle juice like a professional athlete. Fingers crossed that scene makes it into “Heated Rivalry” Season 2.
