You might be dehydrated after intense exercise or after a night of heavy drinking. Pickles—and specifically pickle juice—will replenish your electrolytes and help you feel energized again. To keep your pickle intake low, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
You might experience a sodium deficiency if you’re sick, especially if you vomit—which is one reason you might crave pickles if you’re pregnant and have morning sickness. Pickle cravings have also been identified as a common experience among transfeminine women undergoing hormone replacement therapy using the drug Spironolactone. Spiro, a diuretic commonly used to lower blood pressure by reducing aldosterone, may cause sodium deficiency as well. [3] X Research source
Other symptoms of adrenal fatigue include muscle aches, extreme tiredness, nausea and stomach pain, weight loss, low blood pressure, and darkening of the skin. While craving salt is often nothing to worry about, adrenal fatigue is potentially serious. If you suspect you have adrenal fatigue, contact your doctor to perform an evaluation.
Your stress may also affect your sleep, and lack of sleep can also release extra cortisol, as well as decrease serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel good. On low serotonin, it’s common to try to elevate your mood by snacking. Pickles also contain probiotics that can elevate your mood. [6] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Hormonal imbalance is another reason you might experience strong pickle cravings during pregnancy.
If you ever get tired of pickles but still want some of that probiotic goodness, you can also find probiotics in kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, and miso. What a menu!
Free radicals, molecules that are linked to cancer and other diseases, may be kept at bay by regular pickle consumption. Make sure you eat the whole pickle to get the full dose of antioxidants and vitamins, and not just the juice!
The probiotics in pickles can improve your digestion and metabolism, which can also help you lose weight.
You can drink pickle juice straight from the jar, or make popsicles for an icy treat.
And because pickle juice is loaded with potassium and electrolytes, pickle juice may help stave off a hangover better than water. (But that doesn’t mean you can throw back pickle backs with immunity!)
Too much sodium can raise your blood pressure, which can put you at risk for heart disease or stroke. [14] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
It can be hard to break such habits, but if you eat nutritious, filling meals during regular mealtimes, you’ll be more likely to fall asleep full and not sneak down later for a snack.
