![]() Geiger says that acetic acid enhances communication between neurons and muscles, which then helps legs muscles relax. “When it comes into contact with the back of our throat, it calms down nerve cells.” By calming these cells, they stop firing neurotransmitters (or chemical messengers) that telegraph pain signals. ![]() “The acetic acid may be the hidden hero here,” Geiger says. That’s because it can take up to 45 minutes for an electrolyte drink to be effective, a study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research suggests. “People assume the electrolytes from the sodium help, but by the time they are absorbed, the cramp will likely already be gone,” explains registered dietitian Rhyan Geiger, RDN. You’ve likely heard that it’s the electrolytes in the folk cure that do the trick, but it turns out there’s another ingredient working its magic: acetic acid. It might sound strange to some, but more than a dozen studies suggest sipping pickle juice can stop a leg cramp in its tracks, plus outsmart overnight flare ups. (Interested in more ways to keep you muscles strong? Click through to see how sipping protein coffee helps prevent sarcopenia.) Creative Cat Studio/Shutterstock How pickle juice outsmarts leg cramps at night Plus medication like diuretics and cholesterol-lowering statins we tend to take as we get older ups the risk for electrolyte balances and muscle cramping. Weaker muscles are more prone to being overtaxed - and as a result, experiencing cramps. Sarcopenia, or age-related loss of muscle mass, leaves muscles weaker than they were years ago. Why? Overuse of your muscles depletes their energy stores, making them more prone to painful cramps when you finally turn in for the night.Īnd the problem only worsens with age. And even if you don’t necessarily feel sore during the day, it can manifest in nighttime leg cramps. Long hikes, more time spent gardening and chasing after your grandkids can all overtax your leg muscles. The result: those leg muscles are more likely to seize up while you snooze.Īnother common trigger is “ weekend warrior syndrome“, when you overexert your muscles. When you’re short on these minerals, it prevents nerves and muscles from functioning smoothly. That’s because your body’s balance of electrolytes, or minerals vital to muscle function such as sodium, potassium and magnesium, have been depleted. While the exact cause of overnight leg cramps isn’t always clear, research reveals they’re more likely to occur when you’re dehydrated. The most common causes of leg cramps at night But despite how painful they can sometimes feel, they’re unlikely to cause any damage. The spasms can last for a few seconds or up to a couple of minutes. These involuntary contractions can feel like tightness in the muscle, and sometimes the muscles can feel “stuck.” In severe cases, you can actually see the muscle seize up. Understanding what nighttime leg cramps areĬharley horses are muscle spasms or cramps, and they most often occur in your legs and feet. Read on to discover the simple secret in this DIY trick. But do they actually help? It turns out taking a “shot” of pickle juice for leg cramps at night really can stop the spasms in their tracks, plus ward off future flare ups. To quash trouble, most of us rely on folk cures and home remedies. And they happen to up to 60% of adults, according to research in the journal American Family Physician. Ever been sound asleep, only to be startled awake by a stabbing pain in your calf or hamstring? These sudden, intense muscle spasms are better known as charley horses.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |