Pickles are a food that people either love or hate, and those that love them, really love them! I’m talking eat them straight from the jar kinda love. While pickles aren’t necessarily the first food that comes to mind when talking about ‘health,’ and that’s mainly because they’re so high in sodium, but when eaten in moderation, they’ve got some pretty great benefits. They were once cucumbers, after all!
We’ve compiled a list of some of all the incredible health benefits that can come from eating pickles. Enjoy!
1. Lots of Antioxidants
When looking for healthy food, we want foods that are rich in antioxidants. Healthline points out that pickles contain the same antioxidants as all fruits and vegetables which means they can boost our antioxidants and help our body fight against free radicals. “Free radicals are unstable chemicals that form naturally in the body and are linked to problems such as heart disease and cancer,” writes the source.
When it comes to antioxidant-rich foods, it’s best to eat them in their raw state or through fermentation. Healthline says cooking foods can break down “heat sensitive nutrients, including antioxidants,” and that “pickling raw vegetables and fruits preserves their antioxidant power.”
