Health Benefits of Pickles

Are you a pickle lover or a pickle hater? There are two groups of people in this world - those who pull the pickles out of their burgers before eating them, and those who love them!

But, other than texture and taste, what is the point of eating pickles? Are there any health and nutritional benefits of eating pickles? Let’s find out!

For many people, pickles are a tasty treat. They are often used as a crunchy and tangy ingredient in sandwiches and burgers. Pickles, especially pickled cucumbers, have tons of vitamins and minerals.

People have been pickling vegetables such as cucumbers for 4000 years. Pickling is a great way to preserve and extend the shelf life of all sorts of vegetables, especially during transport. You might find plenty of pickle varieties in your grocery store, utilising various vegetables.

But for excellent pickles, make sure you choose a pickle supplier that offers top-quality, a range of choices, and optimum flavour.

Do pickles undergo fermentation?

One method of pickling is fermentation but not every pickle is fermented.

When you pickle vegetables and fruits, it breaks down the sugars. It gives fermented pickles a sour taste. The pickles will sit in the saltwater and ferment over a period of time.

Fermentation is a reason why lactose-intolerant people can eat yogurt. The beneficial bacteria in yogurt breaks down lactose sugars. These bacteria, otherwise known as probiotics, preserve the foods. It offers many health benefits for your body.

When you use the fermentation process, vinegar gives pickles a flavorful tang. Vinegar is also produced through a fermentation process. But the vinegar that is raw and unpasteurised retains the mother culture and provides beneficial bacteria. A good example is raw apple cider vinegar.

A majority of pickles on grocery store shelves are unfermented. In this case, the cucumbers are processed to steep in vinegar and spices. Add delicious pickles to your pantry and purchase from a high-quality pickle supplier. Choose from a wide range of pickled fruits and vegetables.

Health benefits

Adding fermented foods to your diet helps with numerous health issues - from reducing insulin resistance to lowering inflammation in your body. Sauerkraut, a well-known fermented food all over the world, has been known to protect against cancer. 

Pickles that undergo a fermentation process deliver the health benefits of vinegar and spices. Some even drink pickle juice for its health benefits. It can mitigate muscle cramps, aid in weight loss, and protect against diabetes.

Nutritional Profile of pickles

It should be noted that heat from cooking can damage sensitive nutrients in food such as antioxidants. But pickling raw vegetables and fruits help retain their antioxidant power.

Conclusion

Add pickles to your daily diet and benefit from healthy vitamins and minerals. Pickles are a delicious treat that can enhance any dish. Add sour and tangy pickles to kick the flavours up.