Muscle cramps are very common, but certain foods can help keep them at bay.
But why do muscles cramp, and are there ways to get ahead of it?
We dive into what makes muscles seize up and how to prevent muscle cramps through food.
Getty Images / praetorianphoto
They can last for anywhere from a few brief seconds to several minutes (awful, we know).
There are several reasons why a muscle cramp may come on.
Contrary to popular belief, the most common cause for cramping is actually just general overuse and muscle fatigue.
However,dehydration and electrolyte imbalancescan also play an important role in initiating a cramp.
Cramps can happen to anyone, but they aremore common in older adults, athletes and pregnant women.
Certain conditions and medications, particularly for thyroid or nerve diseases, can cause cramps too.
Check out these8 Foods with More Potassium Than a Bananafor more.
Drink throughout your workout.
There are also severalhydrating foods that can help you meet your water goals.
Magnesium
Magnesium has been shown to alleviate cramping for specific populations.
Check out these6 Foods High in Magnesiumto help prevent cramping at rest.
In fact, nearly 25% of athletic trainers administer pickle juice to cramping athletes.
Larger amounts of pickle juice did increase electrolytes, but probably too slowly to fend off exercise-induced cramps.
A2014study found that pickle juice and mustard did not influence cramping in a positive or negative way.
This can be especially important on hot days or during long workouts.
