Yes, it turns out that pickle juice has hydrating qualities comparable to popular sports drinks. In fact, the electrolytes found in the briny juice can hydrate your body after intense physical exertion faster than the average sports drink. That is, if you can stomach it!

Pickle juice has a higher concentration of salt than most sports drinks, which makes it more effective for replenishing sodium lost through sweat. Consuming pickle juice before a workout helps to prevent painful muscle cramps—often caused by dehydration due to decreased sodium levels. If you forget to drink pickle juice before your workout and then get a muscle cramp, a shot of pickle juice will stop the cramping in less than two minutes—45 percent faster than water or a sports beverage.

I’m sure you’re asking yourself, who actually drinks this stuff? Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys endorses Pickle Juice Sport. Founded by Brandon Brooks in 2000, this unique beverage claims to have 10 times more electrolytes than Gatorade, and 15 times more than Powerade.

Besides obvious sugar discrepancies, the most notable difference between the salty solution and mainstream sports drinks is the vinegar content. The salt and vinegar work together to hydrate the body and prevent muscle cramping.

If you decide to give pickle brine a try at your next sports event, consider pouring some into a bottle and diluting it with water. This will make it last throughout the day and will also help to limit your salt intake.
Want more information? Check out Pickle Juice as a Sport-Performance Tonic?
Photo: Massively Attacked