Insomniacs are claiming a popular condiment - eaten neat - helps them sleep well... even more surprising, doctors say they're right

Daily Mail​

30-07-2025

A woman has claimed a spoonful of mustard before bed stopped the painful muscle cramps that were stopping her from sleeping—and it's not too good to be true.
In a video posted on TikTok posted by @susiegriffin17, which has amassed more than 40,000 views, Susie Griffen said: 'I have a legitimate question for #DoctorTok that deals with mustard and leg cramps.'
She explained that painful muscle cramps had left her unable to get any sleep—which she vitally needed to recover while in hospital after a surgery for a shattered ankle.
In a bid to help ease the persistent pain, a nurse surprisingly brought her a packet of mustard, which she said would help.
The nurse, Ms Griffen claims, told her it was a simple trick she'd learnt from her dialysis patients that, despite her not knowing why for certain, seemed to work.
In the comments, social media users shared it has worked for them too, with one user saying 'I use mustard all the time for leg cramps'.
And in a recent video, responding to her question, Dr Kunal Sood a US-based anesthesiologist said the nurse was right.
Posting on his own TikTok channel, he said: 'There is anecdotal evidence, and the hypothesized reason is because mustard contains acetic acid, which is found in vinegar.'
This he said will decrease muscle activity downstream by stimulating TRP receptors in your mouth, also called transient receptor channels.
He said: 'Basically muscle cramps are caused by a glitch in the connection between muscles and neurons.'
And he explained, when the acetic acid in mustard activates these TRP receptors, they will override and correct the misfiring.
The hypothesized reason he referred to was from 2020 study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
Their analysis of other studies led them to hypothesize that yellow mustards could be practical in athletes to prevent or alleviate muscle cramps.
But he added: 'Mustard also contains both magnesium and potassium which can help correct any electrolyte imbalance.'
There is evidence that both magnesium and potassium are associated with longer sleep duration and better sleep quality.
If you'd like to try he advised it is recommended to start with a teaspoon of the mustard.
However, if your muscle cramps continue to persist, he warned you should speak with a doctor.
In the comment section, social media users shared how they've used the simple trick too.
One user said: 'Our high school football team used to keep mustard packets on the sidelines.
Another wrote: 'It sure does help! I've been dealing with leg cramps for 10 years and a little squirt of mustard before bed will help do the trick.'
A third user comment: 'Yes, a teaspoon stops the cramps. Also a sip of pickle juice works.'
This was another trick that in the comment section of both videos, social media users also recommended.
In the same study, the researchers hypothesized that juice from all types of pickles could also help prevent and alleviate muscle cramps.
It comes just a week after Dr Sood claimed a spoonful of peanut butter before bed can help you sleep better throughout the night.
This is because it contains tryptophan—an amino acid vital for the production of serotonin—'which can have a calming effect on your brain' said Dr Kunal Sood.
Some studies have suggested different foods with tryptophan can help improve sleep quality.
But it is also high in healthy fats which prevent blood sugar level spikes, which can be a cause for waking up during the night, added the US-based anesthesiologist.