{"id":18489,"date":"2024-05-20T08:04:33","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T13:04:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=18489"},"modified":"2024-05-29T12:03:15","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T17:03:15","slug":"are-pickles-good-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/are-pickles-good-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Are pickles good for you?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pickles are crunchy, salty, sweet, packed with flavor and beloved by many as a standalone snack or condiment.<\/p>\n

But are pickles good for you?<\/p>\n

What exactly is a pickle?<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start by defining what a pickle<\/a> actually is. Almost any fruit, vegetable or meat can be pickled by preserving it in a brine of saltwater or vinegar along with various seasonings.<\/p>\n

But when people refer to a \u201cpickle,\u201d they\u2019re usually referring to one particular fruit: the cucumber. Yes, cucumbers are a fruit \u2013 not a vegetable \u2013 since they contain seeds and come from the flower of the cucumber plant. Vegetables are the other parts of plants that people eat, such as the roots, stems and leaves.<\/p>\n

There are many kinds of pickles. Some of the most popular varieties are dill, kosher, bread and butter, gherkins, full-sour and half-sour, just to name a few. Their unique flavors are determined by the brine and seasonings in which they\u2019re made.<\/p>\n

The pros and cons<\/h2>\n

At first glance, it may seem that pickles would have many health benefits. After all, they\u2019re made from cucumbers, which are low in calories and contain fiber, calcium, potassium and vitamins A, C and K. In addition, fermented pickles (pickles made with saltwater brine) contain probiotics, which can help keep your digestive system, brain and immune system healthy.<\/p>\n

However, the process that turns cucumbers into pickles also changes the discussion regarding how nutritious they really are.<\/p>\n

\u201cPickles are usually extremely high in sodium due to the salt used in the brine or added as a seasoning. This makes the health risks greater than the rewards,\u201d said Ashley Simper, a registered dietitian at OSF HealthCare. \u201cA typical large pickle contains about 1,100 mg of sodium, which is close to half of the recommended daily intake of sodium. So, individuals with kidney disease, heart disease or high blood pressure should limit or avoid pickles.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, pickle varieties like sweet gherkins and bread and butter have added sugar. While they\u2019re not high in sugar, it can add up to a lot if a person eats more than the serving size. So, folks need to be aware of that, especially people with diabetes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Are pickles good for weight loss?<\/h2>\n

As stated above, pickles made in saltwater brine contain probiotics, which are good bacteria in the intestines that promote gut health<\/a>. There has been research on a possible connection between these bacteria, metabolism and weight loss. However, no definitive link has been discovered.<\/p>\n

\n

Want more health and wellness info?<\/p>\n

Sign up for our monthly newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

So, instead of trying to find a magic path to weight loss by eating pickles, Ashley suggests sticking to tried-and-true practices.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best way to burn fat is to eat fewer calories and exercise more,\u201d she said. \u201cThere is no specific food that can do this for you. Healthy eating<\/a> to boost metabolism is done by eating consistent meals containing a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean protein and healthy fats. And to get the benefits of probiotics in your diet, choose a low-sodium option like yogurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Are pickles keto-friendly?<\/h2>\n

The ketogenic (keto) diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that forces the body to burn ketones \u2013 produced from fat \u2013 for energy instead of blood sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates. Pickles can be part of a keto diet if they don\u2019t contain added sugar. This means avoiding certain kinds of pickles (bread and butter, sweet gherkins, etc.) in favor of those with less sugar, like dill or sour pickles.<\/p>\n

However, there are conflicting studies about the overall health benefits of the keto diet. Restrictive diets like this can be low in important nutrients. So, if you\u2019re considering keto, be sure to talk to your primary care provider<\/a> first.<\/p>\n

The facts on other pickled goodies<\/h2>\n

Pickle fans are creative and have found several ways to enjoy pickles beyond pulling them straight from a jar or adding them as a topping on their favorite sandwich, burger or hot dog. For example, there are:<\/p>\n