Bottom line: There is no scientific evidence that pickle juice can relieve stomach pain. When it comes to probiotics, pickled vegetables that are cured in vinegar may taste good, but they are likely sterile — containing no healthful bacteria. Smoking, exercise, and stress can cause them, but if…, Being a healthy weight offers many health benefits, as well as a feeling of wellbeing. Health benefits of pickle juice are debatable, but may include: helping to prevent leg cramps and exhaustion, supporting athletic performance and gut health, and providing some enzymes and antioxidants. Does pickle juice have electrolytes? Is pickle juice ever bad for you or likely to cause side effects? It also happens to be a prime ingredient in many commercially produced pickles. On the hand, there’s some evidence that eating fermented foods, including pickles along with their juice, may help to slow the process of gastric emptying, leading you to feel fuller, and to support other metabolic processes. While there’s evidence demonstrating that drinking small volumes of PJ (about 1 mL per kg body mass) prior to exercise may help reduce the duration of electrically induced muscle cramps and, therefore, allow athletes to perform better, other results have not found this to be true. However, even fermented pickles do not pack the probiotic punch that yogurt and other probiotic foods do. But, consuming small volumes of PJ did not fully replenish electrolytes and fluid losses, either. According to the USDA, roughly 1/2 cup (or 4 ounces) of pickle juice contains about: According to recent studies, below are some potential benefits and uses for pickle juice: While there’s many potential causes of leg cramps, they’re often associated with fluid and electrolyte loss or disturbances. Fast weight loss is rarely easy, but it is possible to lose…, Eating a high protein diet can help people to lose fat and build muscle. Another issue is that regularly consuming salty foods and drinks builds your “tolerance” to the taste of salt, making you crave saltiness more and reducing the pleasure you get from moderately seasoned, natural foods. Most pickle juice doses are more anecdotal than scientific, although one study gave participants 2 milliliters per kilogram of body … That’s what this research says – drinking 1.5 oz of pickle juice for every … This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. "It is great for cramps if you drink Pickle Juice during or after Dialysis." Try drinking a shot of pickle juice after you finish working in the yard and see how much more replenished you feel! However, confirming this effect will require more research. Claim #3 Pickle juice can stop dehydration. While it could have some health benefits, pickle juice is not for everyone. All of these benefits may sound great, but when you picture yourself drinking pickle juice right from the jar, you get a little queasy; there are many other ways to add pickle juice … Regarding other health claims about pickle juice, the evidence is anecdotal at best. While it depends on the person and a number of factors, such as their level of hydration and physical activity level, some some scientists have advised against drinking PJ due to concerns related to high sodium consumption. Research indicates that pickle juice may help soothe cramps and keep blood sugar levels in check. If you’re interested in making your own salty pickle concoction, try this basic pickle juice recipe: This includes both pickles and their juices, resulting in one 16-ounce jar: Prefer not to buy your own and wondering where to buy pickle juice? A study from 2010 found that muscle cramps could be resolved in 1.5 minutes by drinking 1.5 oz of pickle juice for every 100 lb of body weight. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) Research shows that vinegar can improve the body’s response to insulin and significantly reduce blood sugar after meals. Some people apply the juice directly to the skin or soak paper in the juice and lay the paper on the area of sunburn. Losing fat around the legs is a common goal. Although it’s best to consume fermented pickle juice for the most benefits, the type made with vinegar does offer the benefit of helping to promote insulin sensitivity. If you don’t find the salty taste of the juice alone appealing, try combining it with other flavors or some water. Tightly pack the cucumbers into the jar, then top them off with the rest of the dill. However, most commercial varieties of pickle juice are pasteurized. The very high level of sodium in pickle juice may also help reduce any cravings for salty foods, which some people experience before or during their periods. People have considered pickles to be a health food for centuries, and some claim that pickle juice has its own benefits. Place the lid on the jar, but do not seal it. And sometimes it's … Bottom line: Pickle juice may help relieve menstrual cramps in the same way that it eases cramps from exercise, but no research has confirmed this. This is easy to do and requires cucumbers, water, salt and optional herbs. Kidney Problems There is no denying that … Bottom line: Pickle juice contains trace amounts of carbs, minerals, and sometimes probiotic bacteria. So if you’re invested in the idea of pickle juice as a cure—and you don’t mind the taste—go ahead and drink around a quarter cup next time you're in need of hangover relief. The Truth About Oats & Gluten, Dangers of Energy Drinks + Healthy Alternatives to Boost Alertness, 47 Terrific Leftover Turkey Recipes for After Thanksgiving, Eucalyptus Leaves Benefits, Uses & Side Effects (Plus How to Grow), 7–8 small, unwaxed cucumbers (3–4 inches long) — pickling or “Kirby” cucumbers are usually the perfect size, (optional for flavor) 2–3 cloves of peeled garlic, cut in half, then smashed, 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon dried celery leaves, 3/4 teaspoon peppercorns. You may leave them whole, cut the tips off on both ends, cut them in half or chop into quarters like spears. Only fermented, unpasteurized pickles contain beneficial bacteria. Interestingly, the vinegar in commercially prepared pickle juice may help lower blood sugar levels. Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Recommended Ways to Drink Pickle Juice. What does the research say? Get this – pickle juice is the new “magic” remedy for pretty much everything. No research has investigated whether pickle juice reduces menstrual cramps, specifically. By Dr. Eric Berg. About 1.5 to 3 ounces of pickle juice per day is a good amount for most healthy adults. Some sources claim that pickle juice may boost digestion and immune function, while reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. Chronically elevated blood sugar can lead to type 2 diabetes and a wide array of other chronic diseases. If you often feel like you could use a quick boost in ... Turkey is a nutritional powerhouse, so you want to make sure to ... You may already know that eucalyptus oil is recommended for treating a ... Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Uses (30!). Because it’s high in sodium, it may cause you to retain water and experiencing bloating. For the average study participant, this was somewhere between 2 to 3 fluid ounces. Some speculate that an increased need for salt and minerals is the reason why pregnant women crave pickle juice, especially if they’re experiencing symptoms nausea, bloating and fatigue, which are common during hangovers, too. If you’re trying to lose weight, you’re probably not too psyched about … Fermented pickles are stocked in the refrigerated food section of the grocery store, while the unrefrigerated shelf is more likely to have vinegar-preserved pickles. You can taste the pickles throughout the process to see if the texture and flavor is where you want it to be. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Vinegar is a popular home remedy for an upset stomach. If that’s you, you can try to have an ounce or two of pickle juice after you work out and see where that gets you, he says. By reducing intake of other types of food, such as carbohydrates and fats, it…, © 2004-2020 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Such health claims are dubious. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. The starches and sugars in the cucumbers are converted into lactic acid by the bacteria lactobacilli, giving the pickles a sour smell and taste. Instead of gulping pickle juice, she suggests, “why not have a green drink after a workout? "Pickle Juice is perfect. 30 Gluten-Free Recipes Pickle Juice Fights Your Cramps. Most experts agree that more research focused on the potential beneficial effects of salty drinks for athletic performance are needed. “Ingesting small volumes of PJ may be ineffective in alleviating exercise-associated muscle cramps by replenishing electrolytes if the cramps are due to Na+ (sodium), K+ (potassium), or fluid imbalances.”. Salty drinks can be problematic for certain people, such as those who have high blood pressure, so these types of drinks should be avoided if you’re following a low-sodium diet. However, commercial manufacturers usually remove these beneficial probiotic bacteria during processing and add vinegar instead. Fermentation is a pickling method where the acidity comes from lactic acid fermentation. "Do not over do it. It might also possibly help to blunt spikes and dips in blood sugar levels, providing more steady energy and offering other metabolic perks. If you can stomach downing a few ounces, you may find it reduces symptoms like headaches, fatigue and heartburn following a night of drinking. I know a professional athlete who also was told that it helps with cramping." Fermented pickles also supply probiotic bacteria which have a multiple of benefits. Certain athletes report experiencing good results when drinking pickle juice for leg cramps, but study results have been mixed overall. Last medically reviewed on April 27, 2020, Good nutrition can help improve health and lower the risk of diseases at all ages. In one study, of 337 athletic trainers that were polled, 63 (19 percent) reported haven given PJ to their athletes to prevent exercise-associated muscle cramps. However, due to the rise in popularity of this drink, it’s now possible to find pickle juice sports drinks, shots and even slushies in some health food stores. Bottom line: Small amounts of pickle juice are unlikely to have significant effects on exercise performance. The easiest way to obtain this drink is by purchasing a jar of fermented pickles and keeping the liquid that remains once the pickles are gone. In a 2014 study, for example, participants consumed 3 oz of pickle juice per 100 pounds of body weight before exercising. You can get ready-to-drink ones without much sugar and you can be drinking spinach, or kale, or … Meanwhile, some people think that drinking pickle juice after exercise has health benefits. The pickle juice will also get rid of the extra uric acid that is in your body by properly digesting the purines that you … However, you should make sure that the pickle juice you drink contains vinegar. A clean system leads to a happy and healthier individual. It is also very high in sodium. That said, the benefits, if any, might be due to antioxidants and probiotics in pickle juice. are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies. So the cucumbers stay below the brine, cut one cucumber in half and place the pieces horizontally at the top. It depends on the exact kind of pickles and how they are made. Detox Your Liver: Try My 6-Step Liver Cleanse, MCT Oil Health Benefits, Dosage Recommendations and Recipes, Sucralose: 5 Reasons to Avoid This Artificial Sweetener, Chia Seeds Benefits: The Omega-3, Protein-Packed Superfood, 9 Proven Black Seed Oil Benefits that Boost Your Health, Top 15 Potassium-Rich Foods to Start Eating Today, Are Oats Gluten-Free? Below are a few of the most common claims and what the research has to say: Some people think that the high sodium content of pickle juice can increase hydration before workouts and improve performance. You’re most likely to experience benefits of drinking pickle juice while minimizing the risk for side effects if you consume it in small amounts. How Much Pickle Juice Should You Drink for Cramps? Maybe just 1/4 cup of Pickle Juice will get your the cramp relief you need." Because it may lead to better hydration (when consumed in small quantities) and blood sugar management, it can potentially prevent complications tied to metabolic dysfunction, which can include kidney, heart and liver damage. Real, fermented pickles are made in a  “brine” solution that is very salty but does not contain vinegar. Is pickle juice good for you if you’re looking to boost your stamina? This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. The full detailed video on How Much Pickle Juice To Drink For Gout is now out: How Thousand’s Of Individuals Have Stopped Gout Discomfort Eating Particular Foods. The researchers suggested that something in the pickle juice might trigger a reflex in the mouth, sending a signal to the nerves to stop cramping. Bottom line: Pickle juice may encourage people to drink more water, which can help relieve a hangover, but no studies support this home remedy. According to anecdotal evidence, a glass of pickle juice may help relieve stomach pain. The bottom line? That said, trying this remedy is likely not harmful. "Guess what, pickle juice has eliminated my cramps!" How much pickle juice is too much? As the name implies, pickle juice is the liquid left behind in a pickle jar once you’ve eaten all the actual pickles. Exercises that tone the leg muscles and various lifestyle changes can help achieve this. And we should all be drinking two ounces every day. If you find yourself reaching for a bag of chips or pretzels when that 3 … The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. In these cases, the acidity of pickle juice may help restore stomach acidity to a healthy level. It’s possible that drinking PJ may cause reactions including: negatively affected performance due to increased dehydration, a harder time getting rehydrated, stomach upset and nausea, issues with blood pressure. After several weeks of curing, the cucumbers have transformed into pickles and are ready to eat. Nausea and an upset stomach are also possible, especially if you drink too much. According to researchers, drinking high-sodium drinks can cause blood volume expansion which may allow athletes to sweat at higher rates and exercise with greater skin blood flow, leading to longer exercise duration. Wait for about 4–10 days. Most standard pickles and their juices are high in sodium and contain potassium and water, but otherwise are lacking nutrients. Pickle juice sports drinks may be a “hack” utilized by some athletes to prevent cramps and fatigue, but what do studies actually say?