19 June 2024 , 08:43
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England's players are downing pickle juice to try and combat cramp, with Kieran Trippier spotted using it during their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia.
Some fans were baffled after Trippier was shown consuming two sachets given to him by England's doctor during the closing stages of the game. However, it has since been revealed that Trippier was drinking pickle juice and a high carbohydrate drink known as a 'fuel bomb'.
Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was then asked about it ahead of England's game against Denmark and said: "I've not tried pickle juice. I didn't know that was a cramp fix. I'm not doing it!"
However, the use of pickle juice is prevalent across the world of sport, with Carlos Alcaraz notably drinking some as he beat Novak Djokovic to win last year's Wimbledon final. In fact, it is particularly common in tennis with US star Frances Tiafoe using it at the 2019 Australian Open.
Speaking after a gruelling fourth round win over Grigor Dimitrov, Tiafoe said: "I had the break, but started to feel my body. He played a good game to break me. After that, as you asked me, I was trying to stay alive.
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"I was downing pickle juice, having that like Kool-Aid, just trying to get that done. I'm talking straight up: just downing it. It tasted terrible. I'm feeling terrible right now, man."
And Professor Mayur Ranchordas, a Professor of Applied Human Nutrition for Sport and Exercise at Sheffield Hallam University, told BBC Sport that pickle juice "stops cramping 40% faster than drinking water".
Pickle juice is extremely effective at combatting cramp (Getty Images)He explained: "Pickle juice contains sodium, potassium and vinegar and the obvious conclusion would be that it replaces sodium and salts lost when playing sport in a hot and humid environment like the Australian Open thus prevent cramping.
"However, how it really works is that it triggers a reflex in the mouth which sends a signal to stop muscles from cramping. That's why it is drank at the onset of cramp. It stops cramping 40% faster than drinking water."