Surprising Health Benefits of Pickles

CLEVELAND - Today is National Pickle Day, and if you love pickles, a dietitian has even more reasons to enjoy your favorite crunchy snack.

“Pickles provide us with vitamins A and K as well as potassium. They're also a great low-calorie snack option,” said Alexis Supan, a registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic.

When it comes to the health benefits of pickles, Supan said vitamin A supports vision and immune health, while vitamin K is good for your bones and heart.

Meanwhile, potassium can help with blood pressure and muscle function.

If you’re looking to support your gut health, Supan said fermented pickles are a good choice because they have probiotics.

While many pickles are low in calories, you want to remember that sweet pickles often have added sugar, and dill pickles can be high in sodium.

Like many foods, Supan saidit’s best to enjoy pickles in moderation – especially if you have certain health conditions.

“If you need to watch your sodium because of high blood pressure, kidney issues or other reasons, you should be careful of how many pickles you eat,” Supan said.

Supan added pickle juice has electrolytes that can help with hydration and relieve muscle cramps during intense exercise– though people who need to limit sodium should be cautious.