Most of us seem to have a love-hate relationship with pickles. Some people are a big fan and they tend to eat them on almost anything they possibly can, including on the side of most dishes. Others, however, have never quite acquired the taste. If you happen to be somebody who loves pickles, you are likely keen to tell others about it.
Many of us look at pickles because of the taste that they provide. They are great on a hamburger, perfect for a bloddy Mary and we can even fry them as a snack. What you may not know, however, is that there is a secret hiding in the pickle jar that can benefit you in numerous ways.
I’m talking about pickle juice, and you should never throw it away. It doesn’t matter if you love the taste or not, pickle juice has hidden benefits that you need to know about. Here are our 7 favorites.
Understanding Pickle Juice
So what is in pickle juice anyway? The ingredients will differ according to the recipe that is used but in most cases it includes sugar, salt, garlic, vinegar and onion.
There may also be additional spices, such as cloves, celery seeds and turmeric.
The pickling process preserves fresh vegetables and in the case of pickles, it is preserving cucumbers. The compounds in the pickle juice (brine) kill the bacteria that make vegetables rot.
People pickle almost anything you can possibly imagine, from hard-boiled eggs to watermelon. Now, it is coming out that pickle juice has a number of surprisingly beneficial properties, including the following.
1. Heartburn
For those of us who suffer from heartburn, we will do almost anything to stop the sensation. Would you believe that a sip of pickle juice may be all that is necessary to fix the problem?
You might think that the opposite is true, since vinegar is acidic, but vinegar is just what your body may need. It causes your body to produce natural antacids that stop the heartburn.
2. Sunburn
Sunburn can be a painful experience but rather than reaching for an expensive drugstore remedy, reach for some pickle juice.
First of all, put some aloe on the burn to help promote new skin growth and to cool your flesh. If the burn is particularly bad, some pickle juice can help with the stinging and itchiness. It is the vinegar in the juice that helps to take away the sting.
3. Muscle relaxer
If you work out or if you tend to get muscle cramps, you have likely heard the term electrolytes. Those are micronutrients that help to keep muscle cramps from happening, and pickle juice is packed with them!
Some of the electrolytes included in pickle juice are potassium and sodium. Dilute a few spoonfuls of pickle juice in some water to recharge your body.
4. Sore throat
A sore throat can be a real pain in the neck, but some pickle juice may be all that is necessary to help ease the issue.
Try some warm diluted pickle juice and gargle with it. Continue the process and the balancing effect of the vinegar will help to ease your pain.
5. Copper pans
You might think it is crazy, but your old copper pans will be as bright as a penny when you wash them with pickle juice.
The salt and the acid reacts with the oxidation and the vinegar cuts through the gunk.
6. Fertilizer
Sprinkle some pickle juice in your garden and you might be surprised with how well your garden grows. That is especially true for plants that appreciate acidic soil, like rhododendrons and hydrangeas.
7. Flavor
It is disappointing to finish up a jar of pickles but don’t despair. Grab some vegetables out of the fridge and dunk them in the juice overnight. You will be amazed with the zip it adds.
Via: Little Things
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