Pickle juice pros and cons: A boon for some, a bane for others

Pickle juice is not a waste product but a beneficial addition to a healthy diet. It has several advantageous properties, though not everyone can benefit from them. Here are the conditions that contraindicate the consumption of pickle juice.

It supports gut health, refreshes, suppresses appetite, and is a source of valuable vitamin C, which bolsters the immune system. Pickle juice can be a fantastic addition to a balanced diet, but it's not suitable for everyone.

Despite its numerous health benefits, not everyone should consume pickle juice. One of the contraindications is high blood pressure. People suffering from this condition should be cautious with both the juice and pickles, as they contain high salt content. For the same reason, individuals with kidney failure should also avoid pickle juice.

Moreover, pickles, including their brine, stimulate the secretion of stomach acids. Therefore, people suffering from stomach or duodenal ulcers, erosions, or hyperacidity may experience worsened symptoms after consuming pickles. It is also not advisable to consume pickle juice during the course of gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or Crohn's disease.

Pickle brine and pickles generally contain significant amounts of histamine, so people with histamine intolerance should avoid them. Dr. Magdalena Cubała-Kucharska explained in an interview with the WP abcZdrowie portal that histamine is a hormone playing a role in inflammatory reactions. Consumption of pickles by people intolerant to histamine can lead to symptoms such as headaches, diarrhoea, hives, abdominal pain, and facial redness.

To reap the health benefits of consuming pickle brine, you should drink between 60 and 120 millilitres daily, preferably in two portions. In this amount, pickle brine can be consumed even daily. However, in cases of increased physical activity and high temperatures, this amount can be increased to 180 millilitres per day. These recommendations apply to people who do not have health contraindications to consuming pickle brine.

Drinking pickle juice offers many health benefits. It helps remove excess water from the body and provides a feeling of satiety. Additionally, it effectively helps break down fats in the body. This juice is also a great remedy for hangovers. It supports gut flora, being a rich source of vitamins such as A, C, E, and K. Regular consumption of pickle juice positively impacts the appearance of skin, hair, and nails and replenishes deficiencies in calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Pickle juice supports gut health by removing toxins and deposits from them.