5 Benefits Of Drinking Pickle Juice, And How Much Is Too Much
Pickles are crunchy and refreshing and are a favorite snack among many people. On top of that, they’re pretty healthy as well.
But what about the pickle juice left in the jar? Don’t toss it just yet!
Many people may think that drinking pickle juice is gross..ick!
While it may be unappetizing for some people, it turns out that drinking pickle juice is actually really good for your body.
The Nutrients
Not all pickles are made the same, but they all have relatively close to the same nutrients.
According to the USDA (1), a three-ounce serving of pickle juice contains:
- 15 calories
- 0 grams of protein
- 0 grams of fat
- 3 grams of carbohydrates
- 690 milligrams of sodium
- 112 milligrams of potassium
- 94.7 grams of water
Pickle juice has a high level of sodium, potassium, and water which makes it perfect for hydration which makes it one of the reasons why you should really be drinking pickle juice. Here are 5 more:
Pickle juice keeps you hydrated.
Sure, drinking water is great and it helps keep you hydrated, but it’s also important to drink something that contains potassium and sodium. Pickle juice contains both which help hydrate you faster and help you stay hydrated. Both sodium and potassium are electrolytes, which is what you lose when you sweat, so drinking pickle juice will replenish those lost electrolytes, in turn, hydrating your body. (2)
Pickle juice benefits your gut health.
Pickles are fermented vegetables which means that they pack a ton of probiotics, and their juice does too! The probiotics that the juice is filled with encourage the growth and balance of good bacteria and flora that is found in your gut. (3)
Pickle juice regulates blood sugar.
Pickle juice usually contains vinegar to help ferment the pickles. According to one research, the vinegar in the juice can help regulate blood sugar levels in those who have Type 2 Diabetes. (4) The research has shown that drinking pickle juice before a meal can help reduce blood sugar spikes.
Pickle juice reduces muscle cramps.
If you ever suffer from muscle cramps from working out or just working too hard, you know how much those cramps can hurt. Drinking pickle juice can not only help replace electrolytes that you lost during your workout, but it can also help with those muscle cramps. One study has shown that drinking pickle juice can help relieve a muscle cramp within 35 seconds of ingestion. (5) The study also found that those who had muscle cramps and drank pickle juice, had a cramp that lasted about 49 seconds less than those who drank only water. (5)
Pickle juice may help support your weight loss efforts.
Pickle juice is loaded with vinegar and the vinegar contains acetic acid which might play a role in losing weight. One study found that acid interferes with your body’s ability to digest starchy foods which results in less starch being broken down into calories in your bloodstream. (6) The vinegar also acts as a “filler” which helps keep food in your stomach for longer after a meal. (7)
How to drink pickle juice
- If the taste doesn’t bother you, you can drink it straight from the jar!
- Freeze the juice and make pickle-sickles.
- Add some juice to non-alcoholic sparkling drinks.
- If you feel like you need a quick pick-me-up, take a shot of the juice.
How much is too much?
It’s easy to get carried away eating pickles and drinking pickle juice, especially if you love the taste. However, sometimes too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
The biggest issue with drinking pickle juice is getting too much sodium. Pickle juice is loaded with sodium which can increase blood pressure, adding to your risk of stroke and heart attack. Too much sodium can also lead to water retention and bloating, puffiness, and weight gain. (8)
Drinking pickle juice has many healthy benefits, but it’s also important to keep watch on how much you drink each day due to the level of sodium it contains. If you already have issues with high blood pressure, it’s important to speak with your healthcare professional before drinking pickle juice on a regular basis.
Sources:
- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/324653/nutrients
- https://www.delish.com/food-news/a49910/why-you-should-drink-pickle-juice/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/drinking-pickle-juice#gut-health
- https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jdr/2015/175204/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19997012/
- https://www.thehealthy.com/nutrition/health-benefits-of-pickle-juice/
- https://picklelicious.com/4-facts-about-pickles-and-weight-loss/
- https://www.purewow.com/food/benefits-of-pickle-juice
