If your digestion is acting up, this juice could be the answer.
If you're a pickle fan, you could admit that... yeah, you enjoy a swig of pickle juice now and then. This turns out to be a good idea, as a study reveals that a fondness for pickles (and the pungent liquid they're bathed in) may benefit your health—particularly your stomach.
Pickle juice is a natural tonic for acid disorders affecting the digestive system, such as severe acid reflux, according to a notion recently reported by Healthline. According to the website, studies on this are currently equivocal since pickle juice appears to help specific acid and indigestion patients while having a more negligible effect on others.
On the other hand, pickle juice may be beneficial to your gut health—keep reading to learn why.
Lactobacillus is found in pickle juice.
According to Healthline, pickles contain Lactobacillus, which has been discovered in some studies. Lactobacillus is a type of beneficial bacteria that are found naturally in the gut microbiome.
Gut-friendly fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurt, kimchi, and, yes, pickles contain these bacteria. Lactobacillus is formed as a result of the fermentation process involved in pickling.
As a result, eating pickles or drinking pickle juice may help to boost the number of healthy bacteria in your gut. They may also help with acid-related gastrointestinal difficulties for some people, according to our source.
Why Lactobacillus is Beneficial to Your Health
The "huge numbers" of Lactobacillus species formed during pickle fermentation "are vital for the digestion of grains and vegetables, and... help to increase human nutrition by delivering vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates," according to a 2017 study.
According to the study, pickles may also include antioxidants and other chemicals that aid in the prevention of diseases like cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, and others.
Pickles may also help you avoid a hangover.
Pickles could provide even another benefit. Pickles are thought to be a healthy "pre-game" snack because of the electrolytes in pickle juice, which can help with hydration and prevent hangovers.
Pickles are a good option.
Okay, so pickle juice isn't a replacement for whatever your doctor may prescribe to help with your stomach issues. If you're shopping for pickles, consider that most commercial brands put their product through a pasteurization procedure, which removes a lot of the Lactobacillus from the jar.
(And, in any case, be aware that indulging in too many pickles can be dangerously high in sodium.)
If you're at a farmers market or eating lunch at a deli that ferments its pickles—or if you've been considering starting a canning hobby—all of this could be a solid reason to go for that spear.