Pickles add more to your favorite burger or sandwich than just a crunchy, tangy bite. Cucumbers that have been pickled contain a ton of vitamins and minerals in their sour brine.
Cucumbers can now be pickled at home. Whole dill pickles, sliced sweet pickles, and sour spears are just a few of the many varieties available at supermarkets.
Important to know: the juice is super healthy as well, since it contains a significant part of the nutrients.
Health Benefits of Pickles
1. Helps digestion
Probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria, are abundant in fermented pickles and are crucial for gut health.
2. Fights diseases
The antioxidant beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A, is abundant in cucumbers. Carotene is a potent substance that has been demonstrated to help reduce your risk of dying from conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, respiratory diseases, and other illnesses.
3. May ease muscle cramps
After exercise, some athletes swear by pickle juice to quickly replenish electrolytes lost. According to one study, pickle juice may be slightly more effective at treating muscle cramps than water. However, the evidence is scant.
4. Curb sugar spikes
Pickle juice, particularly the vinegar in it, may aid in maintaining stable blood sugar levels. People who are at risk for diabetes might benefit from that.
What to Watch For
The fact that pickles are so salty is a major negative. More than two-thirds of the recommended daily sodium intake for an average adult can be found in just one large dill pickle. Blood pressure can be increased by eating too much salt, which increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease. Furthermore, sodium can remove calcium from your bones. Your bones may become weaker as a result, increasing your risk of breaking one.
How to Pickle at Home
There are primarily two methods for making pickles at home:
- Vinegar brining is one method.
- The other method involves fermenting the cucumbers only with salt and water.
No matter the method, remember these general guidelines:
- Pick cucumbers that are fresh, firm, and damage-free.
- Use canning or pickling salt. Other salts cloud up the brine.
- Add dill seed, horseradish, mustard seed, garlic, and any other spices.
- Follow boiling and canning instructions carefully to prevent bad bacteria from growing inside.
- Keep pickles in sealed jars for several weeks before you eat them.
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