A New Way to Prevent Muscle Cramps
The Wall Street Journal
For decades, physicians and other experts in sports medicine have theorized that a cramp was the result of a muscle that was dehydrated, or starved of electrolytes, or suffering tears in its microfibers and cell membranes. These caused pain and spasms that could only be alleviated with water and electrolytes, conventional wisdom held. Now, more experts are beginning to believe we may have been thinking wrongly about cramps all along. A shot of spicy liquid — think wasabi or hot chilies — may be a far more effective treatment than an energy drink or a banana.
