Pickle Juice: The Weird Green Elixir Used by UFC fighters and Endurance Athletes

Pickle juice. You’ve seen it. You’ve probably poured it down the sink without a second thought. After all, who in their right mind drinks the leftover swamp water from a jar of soggy wannabe cucumbers?

Well, apparently, a lot of pro athletes, including UFC fighters and runners. There’s even commercial pickle juice available made here in Oz.

This murky green liquid is having a serious comeback and for good reason. Not just with your mate who eats pickles straight from the jar while watching footy, but among athletes, trainers, and anyone who’s ever woken up with a calf cramp so savage they’ve considered amputation as a solution.

Turns out, pickle juice isn’t just for weird uncles at BBQs or that one Eastern European bloke at work who swears it cures everything from hangovers to heartbreak. Science actually backs it.

What’s In This Swamp Water?

It’s simple: water, vinegar, salt, and whatever else was floating around in that pickle jar. Doesn’t sound like much, but don’t be fooled. Underneath that dodgy appearance, it’s packing:

• Electrolytes: Mostly sodium, replacing what your sweaty carcass loses during training.

• Acetic acid (vinegar): Helps manage blood sugar spikes after carb-heavy meals.

• Trace minerals: Potassium, magnesium, and calcium (depending on your pickle type) for bonus points.

Why The Hell Would You Drink It?

1. Pickle Juice Stops Cramps Instantly

Pickle juice’s number one party trick: killing muscle cramps faster than you can yell at the driver at front stalled at the green arrow. Studies suggest it works by triggering a reflex in your mouth and throat, sending a signal to your nervous system to shut down the cramp within minutes. No hydration needed. It’s a weird neural hack, but it works. UFC fighters swear by it.

2. Helps You Stay Hydrated

With its high sodium content, pickle juice helps your body hang onto fluids. Don’t go skulling it like Gatorade though, unless you want blood pressure that could launch rockets. But for endurance athletes or tradies sweating buckets, a small shot can help replace salt lost through sweat.

3. May Help Blood Sugar Control

Vinegar has been shown to blunt blood sugar spikes. Since pickle juice is basically vinegar’s tougher cousin, a quick swig before carb-heavy meals might help keep your glucose steady. Will it cancel out a burger and chips? Dream on. But it might help.

4. Contains Antioxidants

Pickle juice carries antioxidants like vitamins C and E from the cucumbers and spices, which can reduce inflammation and help recovery. Don’t throw out your spinach just yet, but every bit helps.

5. Pickle Juice Might Aid Weight Loss

Some studies suggest vinegar helps keep you feeling fuller for longer by slowing stomach emptying. Does that mean pickle juice is your miracle fat-burner? Only if your diet doesn’t revolve around late-night Maccas runs.

How Much Should You Drink?

For cramps, research points to around 60–100 ml. For general health, use it in salad dressings or marinades rather than chugging it straight like an unhinged Viking. And if you’re watching your blood pressure, talk to your doctor before adding it to your daily ritual.

Pickle juice isn’t just for psychos and Eastern European grandmothers. Whether it’s smashing cramps, keeping you hydrated on scorching days, or giving your blood sugar a helping hand, this murky brine is a cheap, science-backed performance booster. So next time you finish a jar of pickles, think twice before tipping it down the sink. Your muscles might just thank you for it.

? How to Make Your Own Pickle Juice

Want the benefits without buying endless jars of pickles? Make your own pickle juice at home. It’s dead simple:

Ingredients:

• 500 ml water

• 250 ml white vinegar or apple cider vinegar

• 2 tablespoons salt (non-iodised is best)

• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds

• 1 teaspoon dill seeds or a few fresh dill sprigs

• 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed

• 5-10 black peppercorns

Method:

1. Combine water, vinegar, salt, and sugar in a saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil, stirring until the salt (and sugar, if using) dissolves.

3. Remove from heat. Add garlic, mustard seeds, dill, and peppercorns.

4. Let it cool, then pour into a clean jar or bottle.

5. Store in the fridge. Keeps for about a month.

Tip: You can sip it straight (if you’re game) or use it to marinate chicken, drizzle over salads, or add a shot to your post-workout drink for an electrolyte hit with attitude.

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