MELBOURNE — Referee Felix Zwayer drank pickle juice on June 19, 2026, during a World Cup match between the U.S. and Australia to treat a cramp he experienced during the game.

Pickle juice is used by athletes, with trainers in the Professional Women's Hockey League giving players the liquid during games. Tennis players have also been observed drinking pickle juice during matches. Downing approximately two ounces of pickle juice can address a cramp faster than consuming water. The acidic taste of pickle juice is thought to send signals to the nervous system that help stop the cramp.

Nicole Lund, a sports nutritionist at New York University Langone Health, said in a podcast interview that the substance helps calm overexcited nerves. "It's telling those really overexcited nerves to kind of quiet down," Lund said. Pickle juice is most effective at treating muscle cramps rather than preventing them, does not effectively rehydrate, and is high in sodium. For non-athletes, pickle juice offers no health benefits.

Athletes experience cramps due to reasons such as dehydration, fatigue, or a lack of carbohydrates. If dehydration is the cause, intravenous fluids or electrolyte water are the recommended remedies. If an athlete is adequately hydrated but cramping due to fatigue, pickle juice may help alleviate the discomfort. Some athletes consume yellow mustard to achieve a similar effect to pickle juice.

Swishing pickle juice in the mouth before spitting it out can also assist in relieving cramps. Excessive consumption of pickle juice can lead to exceeding the daily recommended amount of sodium.