Unsure if pickles are good for you?

A dietitian shares pickle nutrition facts, including sodium levels, and if you could eat them every day.

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No sandwich or burger is complete without a pickle in the middle of the mix.

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registered dietitian and nutritionist

But considering how delicious it is, its worth asking: are pickles good for you?

And dont worry, pickle loversyoure going to like what you learn.

What are pickles?

An image of four wine glasses on a wooden surface

Pickles are any vegetables that have been preserved in a salt water or vinegar brine.

The other method of pickling is soaking the cucumber in vinegar, says Feller.

If not, the cucumber will not be fermented.

Young woman mixing ice coffee

Typically, store-bought, shelf-stable pickles are vinegar pickles without any probiotic benefits (more on this below).

5 health benefits of pickles

1.

Theyrehigh in vitamin A, which is linked to supporting healthy vision.

Cropped shot of young woman shopping in the dairy section of a supermarket. She is reading the nutrition label on a container of fresh organic healthy natural yoghurt

registered dietitian and nutritionist

As an added bonus, vitamin A is good for your immune system, too.

In fact,vitamin K deficienciesare linked to poor coagulation and weakened bones.

They can reduce muscle cramps

Wonderingwhat to do with pickle juicethats leftover?

Two cups with coffee and green tea on a beige background.

So, what makes this an effectivemuscle cramp cure?

Taking in moderate levels ofsodium can help with muscle contractions, as it can help preventelectrolyte imbalances.

They can potentially help soothe a sore throat

Some doctors recommend drinkingpickle juice for sore throats.

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Is it healthy to eat pickles daily?

That high sodium content means its not ideal for folks who have hypertension.

Consuming lots ofhigh-sodium foodscan cause also water retention, which may impact cardiovascular health or cause bloating and discomfort.

Are store-bought pickles healthy?

Yes, store-bought pickles are healthybut some types offer more benefits than others.

The key is to buy the ones in the refrigerated section over the ones on the store shelves.

(They often tend to have more sodium too.)

What is the best way to eat pickles?

But there are more creative ways to serve pickles, too.

A popular French dish utilizing cornichons is the rich and flavorful sauce Gribiche, says Feller.

[Its] a delicious addition to any summer barbecue, Feller says.

Finally, Feller recommends trying Haitian pikliz if youre looking for otherthings to pickle.

The assortment of flavors provides a perfect balance between pickled vegetables and heat.

Into each of 4 (12- to 16-ounce) heat-proof jars, add one teaspoon of dry mixture.3.

Add 1 garlic glove to each jar.4.

Fill one jar with okra, one with onion, one with green beans, and one with cucumbers.5.

Fill each jar with the vinegar and water mixture up to three-quarters full.

Cover and let stand for 30 minutes, or until room temperature, then refrigerate for 24 hours.

Store refrigerated for up to 2 months.

Copyright 2019 by Callisto Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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