Is Pickle Juice Good for You?
Article Sources
- 1. 'Drinking Pickle Juice: Nutrition, Benefits, and Side Effects.' Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318618#nutrition
- 2. Milanowski, Ann. '6 Health Benefits of Drinking Pickle Juice.' Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 4 Jan. 2021, health.clevelandclinic.org/6-health-benefits-of-drinking-pickle-juice/
- 3. 'Does Pickle Juice Relieve Muscle Cramps?' - Cooper Institute. The Cooper Institute, www.cooperinstitute.org/2016/12/13/does-pickle-juice-relieve-muscle-cramps
- 4. Author American Council on Exercise Contributor Read More Less. 'Drink Pickle Juice to Avoid a Hydration Pickle.' ACE, www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/2107/drink-pickle-juice-to-avoid-a-hydration-pickle/
- 5. Drinking Pickle Juice: 'Nutrition, Benefits, and Side Effects.' Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318618#benefits
- 6. Link, Rachael. '8 Fermented Foods and Drinks You Should Try, from Kefir to Kimchi.' Healthline, Healthline Media, 22 Sept. 2020, www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-fermented-foods
- 7. Lobo, V, et al. 'Free Radicals, Antioxidants and Functional Foods: Impact on Human Health.' Pharmacognosy Reviews, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, July 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/
You can buy it by the gallon, minus the pickles, or you can quite easily make your own with a few simple ingredients, many of which you're likely to already have in your kitchen cupboards. Pickle juice. The thought of drinking a glass of pickle juice may not be met with great anticipation by everyone.
The taste may not be agreeable to everyone's palate, but that could be a small price to pay if, for instance, the pickle juice was beneficial to their health. So, is pickle juice good for you? Well, in terms of health benefits, it may have a lot to offer.
What Is Pickle Juice?
Originally, pickle juice was made by soaking cucumbers in acidic brine. It's believed that the method dates back more than 4,000 years when the Mesopotamians used it to preserve the green vegetable. The three main ingredients in this procedure are salt, water, and of course, cucumber.
After many weeks of curing, the cucumber transforms into pickles, which are ready to eat. It's the juice that surrounds the pickles that could have some benefit, in one way or another, on an individual's health. Nowadays, pickle juice is made in various ways, but vinegar, water and salt are prominent ingredients in most.
Nutritional Content
The main nutrient in pickle juice is sodium, which provides between 50 and 115 percent of RDI in a 3.5-ounce serving. Potassium and magnesium each provide 3 percent of the RDI, and calcium is between 1 and 5 percent.1‘Drinking Pickle Juice: Nutrition, Benefits, and Side Effects.’ Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318618#nutrition
There are also around 0.4 grams of carbohydrates in a 3.5-ounce serving of pickle juice, good for low-carb diets. Most commercial varieties of pickle juice are pasteurized and contain vinegar. Unpasteurized types may also contain significant amounts of probiotic bacteria.2Milanowski, Ann. ‘6 Health Benefits of Drinking Pickle Juice.’ Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 4 Jan. 2021, health.clevelandclinic.org/6-health-benefits-of-drinking-pickle-juice/
Could Soothe Muscle Cramps
Experiencing muscle cramps during a workout or taking part in competitive sports can be both painful and frustrating. It is believed the problem is down to the nervous system's communication with the muscles. The nerves tell the muscle when to contract. When muscles tire, sustained contractions can occur, resulting in cramps.3‘Does Pickle Juice Relieve Muscle Cramps?’ - Cooper Institute. The Cooper Institute, www.cooperinstitute.org/2016/12/13/does-pickle-juice-relieve-muscle-cramps
Pickle juice may help relieve muscle cramps due to the vinegar it contains, which may suppress the associated pain. Vinegar may also halt the nerve signals that cause the fatigued muscle to cramp.
Could Help Sustain Hydration
For most, drinking water during a workout is often enough to keep hydrated, especially if the exercise duration is relatively short and not too intense. Longer, more strenuous workouts might need something more than water. Pickle juice may be the answer.
Sodium and potassium are two electrolytes that are lost during exercise through sweat. Pickle juice contains high levels of sodium as well as some potassium. Taking small amounts of the juice may help the body regain its normal levels of electrolytes faster.4Author American Council on Exercise Contributor Read More Less. ‘Drink Pickle Juice to Avoid a Hydration Pickle.’ ACE, www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/2107/drink-pickle-juice-to-avoid-a-hydration-pickle/
May Support Weight Loss
Pickle juice contains vinegar, which could be why some individuals look to the juice when they want to lose weight. The vinegar found in pickle juice may help individuals curb their appetite by increasing the feeling of being full.
When it comes to varieties with probiotic properties, pickle juice may help improve gastrointestinal function, leading to better metabolism and increased weight loss. However, you should always consult a doctor before moving forward with weight loss strategies.
May Help Manage Blood Sugar Levels
High blood sugar levels could lead to type 2 diabetes and a wide variety of other chronic diseases. This is why keeping them at normal levels is vital. The vinegar found in commercially produced pickle juice may help prevent any spikes or drops in blood sugars, which could benefit people with diabetes.
Vinegar may help an individual respond better to insulin, which could drastically reduce blood sugar levels after eating, research found.5Drinking Pickle Juice: ‘Nutrition, Benefits, and Side Effects.’ Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318618#benefits
May Boost Gut Health
Because pickle juice contains vinegar, it may support gut health. Vinegar is a fermented food, meaning bacteria and yeast have broken down the sugars. The fermentation process may also boost beneficial bacteria found in the gut.6Link, Rachael. ‘8 Fermented Foods and Drinks You Should Try, from Kefir to Kimchi.’ Healthline, Healthline Media, 22 Sept. 2020, www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-fermented-foods
Fermented foods such as the vinegar found in pickle juice may be good for the digestive system as they stimulate the growth and healthy balance of the gut flora. When buying pickles, look for "naturally fermented" on the label, as many commercial products do not contain probiotics.
May Help Fight Illness and Boost Immunity
Two key antioxidants found in pickle juice, vitamins C and E, could play a major role in protecting the body from damaging molecules called free radicals. These free radicals could contribute to chronic disorders such as cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.7Lobo, V, et al. ‘Free Radicals, Antioxidants and Functional Foods: Impact on Human Health.’ Pharmacognosy Reviews, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, July 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/
Nobody is immune to exposure to free radicals, which is why incorporating plenty of antioxidants in a diet may not be a bad idea. Vitamin C and E can play other important roles in the body, one of which is boosting the immune system.
How To Use Pickle Juice
Drinking pickle juice is just one of the many ways it can be utilized to benefit someone's health, maybe. Pickle juice is ideal for marinating meat such as pork or beef. The vinegar-rich juice can also add a pop of flavor to potatoes.
It can also be used to brine hard-boiled eggs, garlic and onions and soft vegetables including canned varieties. Or it can be used as a replacement for vinegar.
Possible Side Effects
Drinking pickle juice is generally thought to be safe. But because it contains high amounts of sodium, drinking too much could lead to water retention, bloating and swelling. Water retention caused by high levels of salt can also result in individuals having high blood pressure.
Consuming excessive amounts could also cause gas and stomach pain. It's recommended that individuals should not consume more than 2,300 milligrams per day of sodium. One 3 ounce serving of pickle juice contains 900 milligrams.
