BEAUTIFUL post! And full of great information.
It's odd you said this....
The Amish have a leg cramp & acid reflux remedy from the 1800's that consists of Apple cider Vinegar, ginger and garlic
Whenever we get leg cramps, etc, we always take a shot glass full of pickle juice and within seconds the cramp is gone. I wonder what the acid in both vinegar and pickle juice/brine has in it that immediately soothes over and dismisses cramps.
acetic acid I believe is the magical acid you are talking about. The aectic acid is what helps keep the food preserved so it must not lose all the benefits when heated/canned. that's a pretty cool trick. I've never tried pickle juice before but then again I have vats of vinegar kicking around ... just a slight addiction to making it :).