Does pickle juice help with athletic recovery? You may have heard that drinking the liquid inside a pickle jar is good for you and it’s been getting a lot of attention recently, especially after tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, who won Wimbledon last month, was seen drinking pickle juice during breaks of his final match. To set the record straight, registered dietitian Matthew Black, who’s done his own research and reviewed other studies on the subject, explains its possible benefits.
The nutrition expert says it really all depends on the type of pickle juice. Pickle juice products that are made from cucumbers in a mix of mostly vinegar and salt don’t involve the process of fermentation, so they don’t contain probiotics. But Black says pickles made from cucumbers packed in a solution of salt water - also referred to as brine - can contain probiotics, which he explains are “a natural source of healthy bacteria that help promote gut health.”
The benefits of pickle juice for the body:
- According to Black, some research has shown that pickle juice can help with the reduction of and recovery from muscle cramps in those who are mildly dehydrated.
- He notes that most pickles on store shelves are not fermented, but if you’re drinking pickle juice from naturally fermented pickles, the probiotics in them “may aid in the reduction of the inflammatory processes.” And that could help athletes trying to prevent muscle cramping.
- The sodium and potassium in pickle juice can also help hydrate by replenishing lost electrolyte stores if you have a hangover, Black shares.
Source: Good Morning America