- Side Effects
- Preparation
- Nutritional Value
- Health Benefits
-
Comments
-
**COMMENTSTAGLIST**
-
More
-
**OTHERTAGLIST**
Although pickles have some health benefits, it’s not a good idea to eat pickles every day because they tend to be high in salt. Too much sodium can:
- Increase water retention
- Cause hypertension
- Raise blood pressure in people with hypertension
- Worsen edema in people with kidney failure
- Contribute to kidney dysfunction in people with compromised renal function
- Cause chronic long-term irritation of cells in the gut
If you have been diagnosed with hypertension or prehypertension, or if you have health conditions that require you to limit your salt intake, you should avoid eating pickles altogether.
How are pickles made?
Pickles are made by fermenting vegetables, fruits, or meat in a large amount of salt and oil or vinegar. In certain parts of the world, other spices may be added to pickles for flavor.
Pickling cuts the oxygen supply and reduces the growth of microbes in the food, thus increasing the shelf life up to months to years.
8 health benefits of pickles
While pickles should be consumed in moderation due to their high sodium content, they may have some health benefits:
- Probiotic effects: Naturally fermented pickles and their juice contain good bacteria, which when ingested in moderation can help with digestion and immune health. However, these probiotics are typically found in pickles that have naturally been fermented using only salt and spices.
- Rich in minerals: Pickles made of berries and vegetables have a good amount of minerals, such as calcium, iron, and potassium, along with vitamins A, C, and K.
- Lower blood sugar levels: Vinegar in pickles can help keep blood sugar levels in check and thus is said to be good for people with diabetes.
- Soothes muscle cramps: Because of the vinegar or the high salt content, pickles may provide faster relief from muscle pain after exercise as compared to water.
- Restores electrolyte balance: Pickle juice contains a significant amount of potassium and sodium, meaning that it can help replenish electrolytes in the body. However, pickles are not a replacement for post-exercise electrolyte solutions.
- Helps during pregnancy: Sour cravings and morning sickness experienced in pregnancy may be relieved by consuming pickles. Some have reported that the tangy taste helps curb nausea.
- Improves digestion: Amla (Indian gooseberry) pickle preparation is especially good for digestion.
- Antioxidant properties: As most pickles are made from fruits and vegetables, pickles contain antioxidants that combat free radical damage in the body.
SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowReferences
Image Source: Getty Images
Chakraborty R, Roy S. Exploration of the diversity and associated health benefits of traditional pickles from the Himalayan and adjacent hilly regions of Indian subcontinent. J Food Sci Technol. 2018;55(5):1599-1613. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5897286/
Behera SS, El Sheikha AF, Hammami R, Kumar A. Traditionally fermented pickles: How the microbial diversity associated with their nutritional and health benefits? J Funct Foods. 2020;70: 103971. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S175646462030195X
Cleveland Clinic. 6 Health Benefits of Drinking Pickle Juice. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-health-b70enefits-of-drinking-pickle-juice/
Chakraborty R, Roy S. Exploration of the diversity and associated health benefits of traditional pickles from the Himalayan and adjacent hilly regions of Indian subcontinent. J Food Sci Technol. 2018;55(5):1599-1613. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5897286/
Behera SS, El Sheikha AF, Hammami R, Kumar A. Traditionally fermented pickles: How the microbial diversity associated with their nutritional and health benefits? J Funct Foods. 2020;70: 103971. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S175646462030195X
Cleveland Clinic. 6 Health Benefits of Drinking Pickle Juice. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-health-b70enefits-of-drinking-pickle-juice/
Top Is It Bad to Eat Pickles Every Day Related Articles
Diet and Weight Management: Signs You're Eating Too Much Salt
Learn about the telltale signs of too much salt in your body, and how you can keep your sodium levels in check.
Diet and Nutrition: Fermented Foods for Boosting Health
Fermented foods aren’t just tasty. By boosting good bacteria in your gut, they can have healthy effects that ripple through every part of your body.
Healthy Living and Disease Prevention
The importance of a healthy lifestyle in disease prevention is widely understood and most people know that lifestyle changes and choices can be critical to good health. Learn about healthy behaviors that constitute healthy living.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs due to the tightening or stiffness of very small arteries called arterioles. As a result, the heart pumps harder through the stiff or narrow arterioles, leading to elevated pressure inside the vessels. Hypertension is known as 'the silent killer' because it often goes unnoticed and may cause serious complications such as kidney diseases, heart diseases, heart failure, and stroke.
Things to Know About High Blood Pressure Treatment
High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.
Hypertension: Worst Foods for High Blood Pressure
Diagnosed with high blood pressure or trying to avoid it? Stay away from these foods.
Salt & Low Sodium Diet Quiz
Do you love salt? Take the online Salt Quiz to get the facts about dietary salts and sodium in fruits, vegetables, processed foods, snacks and soups!
Salt Shockers Slideshow
Salty Foods can be everywhere. So how can you maintain a low-sodium diet and beware of the risks of high blood pressure which can lead to heart attack and stroke? Discover where high-sodium foods hide on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus. Learn to replace high-salt foods with better choices.
What Are the Signs Your Blood Pressure Is Too High?
What is high blood pressure, and how do you lower it? Learn the signs of high blood pressure and what to do if your blood pressure numbers go above a healthy range.
What Foods Can I Eat for a Low Sodium Diet?
Sodium, or salt, is an electrolyte your body needs to function properly. Foods you can eat on a low-sodium diet include fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, low-sodium dairy, and low-salt seasonings and sauces.