The next time you open a jar of crispy pickles, save the juice! maybe you’ve always loved that luscious pucker. Or maybe the idea of drinking pickle juice just sounds unappetizing. Love it or hate it, pickle juice can be good for your health.
“pickle juice has some benefits, but it really depends. the type of pickle juice matters. so does the health benefit it seeks to gain,” says functional medicine dietitian camille skoda, rdn, ld, ifncp. “A jar full of dyes and preservatives won’t give you those benefits.”
skoda gives you six ways pickle juice is good for you and how to reap the benefits.
1. pickle juice contains probiotics
Naturally fermented pickles, and their juice, contain helpful microorganisms called probiotics. probiotics are live microscopic bacteria and yeasts that you can also find in:
- kimchi.
- miso.
- sauerkraut.
- yogurt.
- You have a chronic condition that requires you to eat more sodium.
- They don’t get enough sodium in their diet.
“Your gut contains many species of bacteria that are beneficial for metabolism, general health, digestion, and fighting disease. They are also related to less anxiety, depression and better mood, ”explains skoda.
Probiotics can help keep the good bacteria in your gut in balance. people eat probiotics for these benefits, especially to aid digestion.
skoda says you can find probiotics in non-vinegar based refrigerated pickles. they must be naturally fermented in water using salt and spices.
“To get these benefits, try eating one pickle a day. but keep in mind that everyone tolerates probiotics differently. So if you’re drinking pickle juice for probiotics, start with a small amount,” recommends Skoda. “And don’t drink so much that you overdo the sodium.”
2. pickle juice can help you recover after exercise
Electrolytes help maintain fluid balance in your body and keep all systems running. but when you sweat, you risk losing too many. the antidote?
“Pickle juice contains electrolytes in the form of a lot of sodium and some potassium and magnesium. that’s why you can use it as a natural electrolyte,” says skoda. “can help rehydrate after exercise.”
For maximum benefit, skoda recommends choosing a vinegar-based pickle without yellow coloring or preservatives. Using pickle juice as an electrolyte may work well for people who:
But using pickle juice as a recovery drink isn’t for everyone. “The recommendation is not to consume more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. and 3 ounces of pickle juice gives you 900 mg right there, depending on the brand,” she says. “You can find electrolyte supplements that only have 150 mg of sodium and more potassium and magnesium instead.”
3. pickle juice can help regulate blood sugar
Studies show that vinegar can help prevent spikes and crashes in blood sugar. that’s a check in the winning column for vinegar-based pickle juices. “You would also see the same benefits with vinegar-based salad dressings and apple cider vinegar,” skoda adds.
4. pickle juice can support weight loss
The research gets a little more murky when it comes to the effects of pickle juice on weight loss. but it’s also less about the pickles and more about the vinegar.
“pickle juice may help control appetite by stabilizing blood sugar. it’s easier to lose weight and control your appetite when your blood sugar level is stable,” says skoda. “And if you’re drinking pickle juice for the probiotic benefit, improving digestion and metabolism could definitely help you lose weight.”
5. drinking pickle juice for a hangover can help you feel better
Drinking too much alcohol can dehydrate you. electrolytes can help reduce some of those effects, says skoda. “Drinking pickle juice as a hangover cure can help if you choose the electrolyte.”
6. pickles contain antioxidants that fight disease
score one for cucumbers! Since pickles are fermented pickles, you can count on some of that plant-based goodness, which includes vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Antioxidants can protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules within the body that are linked to cancer, heart disease, and more. “You can get some antioxidants from pickle juice, but eating pickles is more beneficial.”
skoda conclusion: if you like the salty goodness of pickles or pickle juice, bon appetit! While pickle juice isn’t a cure-all, it can definitely be part of a healthy eating plan.
