Pickle juice has long been passed around as an unusual remedy for painful muscle cramps, especially among athletes and people who exercise in hot weather. While it might sound like an old wives’ tale, there is actually some evidence behind the idea. Interestingly, the possible benefit may not work quite the way most people assume.

Pickle juice contains plenty of sodium and smaller amounts of other electrolytes, so many people assume it stops cramps simply by replacing salt lost through sweat. Electrolytes and adequate hydration are certainly important for normal muscle function, but pickle juice can sometimes appear to relieve a cramp faster than those minerals could realistically be absorbed into the bloodstream.

One explanation researchers have explored involves the strong, acidic taste. Vinegar and other compounds in pickle brine may stimulate sensory receptors in the mouth and throat. That stimulation may trigger nervous-system signals that reduce the excessive activity of the motor neurons involved in certain exercise-associated muscle cramps.

That doesn’t mean pickle juice is a guaranteed treatment for every cramp. Muscle cramps can have many triggers, including fatigue, strenuous exercise, prolonged positioning, and sometimes underlying medical issues. Pickle juice is also extremely high in sodium, so drinking large quantities isn’t appropriate for everyone, particularly people who have been advised to limit their salt intake.

So there is some truth to the pickle-juice remedy, although it isn’t a magical cure. A small amount may help shorten certain exercise-related cramps in some people, potentially through a rapid nerve reflex rather than simply replacing electrolytes. Persistent, severe, or unexplained muscle cramps, however, deserve medical attention rather than relying repeatedly on a jar of pickle juice.