Drink pickle juice to ease menstrual cramps, says doctor

Women with menstrual cramps can enjoy this home remedy – pickle juice.

“Drinking pickle juice for menstrual cramps may be effective because of its high electrolyte content, especially sodium and potassium, which can help relieve muscle cramps,” said California ER doctor Joe Whittington in TikTok last week.

He added: “The vinegar in pickle juice can also promote muscle relaxation and reduce pain by stabilizing blood sugar levels.”

Does a person take this advice for heart and stomach? Comedian Brittany Furlan, wife of rocker Tommy Lee and host of the This Is the Worst podcast.

“I’m dying of cramps and then my husband, out of nowhere, says, ‘Why don’t you just drink some pickle juice?'” Furlan, who suffers from endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, explained in a recent episode.

Furlan, 37, said that within five minutes of throwing up the liquid, “her cramps were at a minimum. It’s kind of unbelievable.”

She claims Lee, 61, heard about the drug on Instagram – and Whittington is taking credit.

However, the efficacy of pickle juice for cramps has long been debated among athletes and health experts.

“I believe it really helps with recovery and hydration,” professional MMA fighter Jason Markland told The Post in 2019. “You don’t feel an immediate difference, but you know it’s working. If you’re cramping during training and drink it, you can feel the difference.”

Chris Mohr, fitness and nutrition advisor at Fortune Recommends Health, says the sodium in pickle juice helps replenish salt depleted during intense exercise, which can cause muscle spasms.

“Pickle juice is primarily believed to be effective for muscle cramps, such as those experienced in the legs, feet or arms that are usually caused by exercise or other physical activity,” Mohr told Scary Mommy in June. “However, there is not much evidence to suggest that pickle juice would be helpful for menstrual cramps, which are caused by hormonal fluctuations and uterine contractions.”

If you try pickle juice for menstrual cramps or other pain, Whittington says “it’s best to drink in moderation, as the high sodium content can pose risks for those with certain health conditions.”

Whittington also reports that the salty stuff can help cure hangovers.

The purported benefits of brine also extend to treating sore throats and draining sidewalks when temperatures drop.