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Drinking pickle juice may actually be very good for you

It does a whole lot more than just perk up a salad dressing

Monday 31 October 2016 15:37 GMT

(Rex Features)

Even for the most seasoned pickle fan, glugging a glass of briny pickle juice may sound like a step too far - but you might want to think twice before you go to toss it away.

It turns out the juice is actually pretty good for you and does a whole lot more than just add flavour to your favourite snack.

Despite its sharp taste it is an incredible source of health busting benefits.

So what’s the big dill? Here we reveal ways that prove pickle juice might actually be really good for you.

It relieves muscle cramps

After an intense workout what do you reach for? A bottle of water? An energy drink? Next time why not try a nice chilled glass of pickle juice.

According to science, the briny beverage helps to ease muscle aches and pains thanks to its high concentration of sodium and vinegar.

A study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise showed that dehydrated men experienced faster relief from muscle cramps after drinking pickle juice than those who opted for water; what’s more it only took a third of a cup to take effect.

It hydrates you quicker and for longer

Drinking water is great and all but what if there was something to help your body recover more quickly? Enter, pickle juice.

Because it contains sodium and potassium the juice is the ultimate rapid hydrator; they’re both electrolytes that your body loses when you sweat so opting for a drink that contains both will help to restore your electrolyte levels to normal at a much faster rate.

Six healthy breakfast recipes to try

Show all 6

1/6Six healthy breakfast recipes to try

Six healthy breakfast recipes to try

You will need: 1 onion, 1 red pepper, 1 stick of celery, 1 cup of mushrooms, 4 to 6 eggs, 1 habanero chilli (optional), 1 tablespoon of oil, 25g of grated low-fat cheese, 150 ml of skimmed milk, 50g of turkey breast. Add some spinach for an extra boost.

Method:

1) Cook your turkey breast so that it’s ready to add to the mix later on. Best to grill it and then chop it up as it’s healthier than shallow frying. 2) Meanwhile, heat the oil and add your onion, pepper, chilli, mushrooms and celery to your pan. Cook these for around five minutes until your veg is nice and soft. 3) Whisk your eggs and milk together in a separate bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. 4) Add the egg mixture, veg, cooked turkey and cheese to a high-sided baking pan or tin and cook in your oven for around 15 minutes at 170C.

DW Fitness Clubs

Six healthy breakfast recipes to try

Be careful when you buy your porridge, as some brands will cram a lot of sugar in there. Porridge is a good breakfast option as it is renowned for releasing energy slowly, which means you can get to lunch without suffering from a lull. A great source of fibre, potassium and vitamins, bananas are always a good accompaniment to your morning oats.

DW Fitness Clubs

Six healthy breakfast recipes to try

Ingredients: 2 full eggs, 3 egg whites, asparagus, peppers, 50g of smoked salmon

Method

1) Boil your asparagus in water for around five minutes. 2) Meanwhile, mix your eggs and egg whites in a jug, and add a splash of skimmed milk. Chop some peppers up and throw them in too. 3) Once your asparagus is cooked, drain it and chop into smaller chunks. Add these to your egg mixture. 4) Whisk your mixture and season with salt and pepper. 5) Pour the mix into a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of quality olive oil. 6) Cook the omelette for around 90 seconds to two minutes. 7) Once the bottom is cooked, take the pan off the hob and place under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to cook the top. 8) Serve with your smoked salmon.

DW Fitness

Six healthy breakfast recipes to try

Greek yoghurt has vast nutritional benefits. Regardless of where you stand on the superfood debate, Greek yoghurt’s credentials speak for themselves. A good source of potassium, protein, calcium and essential vitamins, this food forms an ideal base for a healthy breakfast, especially if you’re trying to lose weight.

DW Fitness

Six healthy breakfast recipes to try

Eggs Florentine is not only a tasty breakfast, it also carries a hefty nutritional punch, particularly when you throw some spinach into the equation.

DW Fitness

Six healthy breakfast recipes to try

So fast and easy to make, yet so effective. Wholemeal toast can be a good breakfast choice, as long as you are sensible with your toppings. Peanut butter is perfect. A good source of “healthy fats”, as well as protein and Vitamin E among other nutrients, a liberal spreading of peanut butter can set you up for the day.

DW Fitness

It boosts your immune system

According to the study Dietary antioxidants: Immunity and host defence, antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E offer a protective role against infections caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites. Luckily, pickle juice contains a decent amount of both these vitamins meaning it will help to boost your immune system function.

It can help you lose weight

Vinegar is the main ingredient in pickle juice and according to a study from Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, consuming this one ingredient every day can promote healthy weight loss. After just 12 weeks, study participants who had consumed a small amount of vinegar daily had lost more weight and fat than those who hadn’t consumed any.

(Rex Features (Rex Features)

It helps to regular your blood sugar levels

Unregulated blood sugar can lead to serious health complications including blindness, heart damage and kidney damage but research has found pickle juice could be the missing link. Research published in the Journal of Diabetes Research showed that drinking a small serving of vinegar, the main ingredient in pickle juice, before a meal helped to regulate a person’s blood sugar levels, especially those with type 2 diabetes.

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