Carrie Madormo, RNUpdated: Oct. 05, 2022
Is pickle juice good for you? It can be! Read on to learn about the benefits of drinking the brine.
When you finish the last pickle, don’t toss that leftover juice! There are plenty of things to do with pickle juice. Drinking it has several health benefits, like pain relief and regulating blood sugar. It’s also a great substitute for sugary sports drinks.
The type of pickles you choose matters. Read the jar’s nutrition label, and choose a brand of pickles that’s free of artificial dyes and preservatives.
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Provides a Good Source of Probiotics
Pickle juice from naturally-fermented pickles made without vinegar is rich in probiotics. Probiotics are made up of microscopic bacteria and yeast that help to keep the good bacteria in the body in balance. The good bacteria in the gut aids in digestion, metabolism, immune response and even mood. If you love the health benefits and the flavor of pickles, here are fun pickle-flavored foods.
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Supports Post-Workout Recovery
A tall glass of pickle juice may not sound like the most refreshing drink after a tough workout, but it could help your body recover quicker. Pickle juice is rich in electrolytes, which can help to restore the fluid balance in the body after sweating from a workout. Pickle juice can restore levels of sodium, potassium and magnesium in the body. Real pickle lovers will appreciate these pickle gifts—including a pickle of the month subscription.
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Helps Regulate Blood Sugar
Drinking a small amount of pickle juice every day may help to regulate the blood sugar levels in your blood. The vinegar in pickle juice is known to prevent spikes in blood sugar. This helps to regulate both blood sugar and insulin levels. Take pickle health a step further and learn how-to can pickles, step by step.
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Cures a Hangover
If you find yourself hurting from one too many co*cktails last night, pickle juice may be the answer. Alcohol is very dehydrating, and the electrolytes in pickle juice help to rehydrate the body. Drinking pickle juice may ease hangover symptoms and help you feel better faster. Don’t miss our list of the best and worst rehydration drinks.
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Provides Muscle Cramp Relief
Drinking pickle juice may relieve muscle cramps. This could be helpful for individuals who feel sore from working out. A 2010 study found that when dehydrated men drank 1/3 cup of pickle juice, they experienced faster relief from muscle cramps. Scientists believe the vinegar in pickle juice is responsible for rapid pain relief.
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May Support Weight Loss
Pickle juice that’s made with vinegar may aid in weight loss efforts. A 2009 study found that people who consume a small amount of vinegar each day tend to lose more weight than those who do not drink vinegar regularly.
Learn more about the health benefits of pickle juice.
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How Much Pickle Juice Is Too Much?
It’s important to watch your intake of pickle juice because of its sodium content. Pickle juice is high in sodium, and it’s easy to overdo it. Just 1 cup of pickle juice contains about 821 mg of sodium.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that most adults limit their sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day. If you are currently following a low-sodium diet, your daily limit may be lower.
Originally Published: June 09, 2022
Now a freelance health and food writer, Carrie worked as a nurse for over a decade. When she isn't hunched over her laptop with a baby in hand, you will find her cooking her grandmother’s recipes, lacing up her running shoes or sipping coffee in the bathroom to hide from her three young children.
