Ad Libitum Fluid Intake and Plasma Responses Following Pickle Juice, Hypertonic Saline, and Deionized Water Ingestion

Abstract

Some clinicians warn against pickle juice (PJ) ingestion due to its sodium. PJ drinking guidelines have been developed but never tested. The purpose of this study was to determine if drinking PJ, hypertonic saline (HS), or deionized water (DIW) affected ad libitum DIW ingestion, plasma variables, or perceptions of thirst, fullness, or nausea (perceptual indicators). On three days, subjects were dehydrated (~2%), given one of three treatment drinks, rated its palatability, and rehydrated with DIW ad libitum. Over 60 minutes of rehydration blood samples and perceptual indicators were collected. Subjects consumed more DIW ad libitum following HS and PJ than DIW. Plasma variables and perceptions of thirst, fullness and nausea didn’t differ between treatment drinks. The rationale behind PJ drinking guidelines is questionable. Subjects drink more, not less, after PJ ingestion. Plasma variables and perceptual indicators didn’t differ between PJ and DIW. Athletes should schedule their drinking to fully rehydrate.