Can Pickle Juice Cure a

Hangover?
 Electrolytes

 Harmfulness

 Other remedies

 Bottom line
Pickle juice is a natural remedy often recommended to help combat hangover
symptoms.

Pickle juice proponents claim that the brine contains important minerals that can
replenish electrolyte levels after a night of heavy drinking.

However, the effectiveness of pickle juice remains unclear, as most evidence

behind its purported benefits is purely anecdotal.

This article reviews the research to determine whether pickle juice can cure a
hangover.
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Contains electrolytes
Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning that it increases urine production and
accelerates the loss of fluids and electrolytes (1Trusted Source).

For this reason, drinking excess amounts of alcohol can cause dehydration and
electrolyte imbalances, which may contribute to hangover symptoms.
Pickle juice contains sodium and potassium, both of which are important electrolytes
that may be lost due to excessive alcohol intake.

Therefore, drinking pickle juice could theoretically help treat and correct electrolyte
imbalances, which may decrease hangover symptoms.

However, research on the effects of pickle juice suggests that it may not have much
of an effect on electrolyte levels.

For example, one study in 9 people found that drinking 3 ounces (86 mL) of pickle
juice did not significantly alter electrolyte concentrations in the blood (2Trusted
Source).

Another small study showed that drinking pickle juice after exercising did not
increase blood sodium levels. Still, it did encourage fluid intake, which could be
beneficial for dehydration (3Trusted SourceTrusted Source).

Further high quality, large scale studies are needed to evaluate how drinking pickle
juice may affect electrolyte levels, dehydration, and hangover symptoms.

SUMMARY

Pickle juice contains electrolytes like sodium and potassium, levels of which could
be depleted due to the diuretic effects of alcohol. However, studies show that
drinking pickle juice is unlikely to affect electrolyte levels in the blood.

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Too much can be harmful

Although research suggests that drinking pickle juice may not significantly benefit
electrolyte levels, consuming too much may harm your health.

For starters, pickle juice is high in sodium, packing a whopping 230 mg of sodium
into just 2 tablespoons (30 mL) (4Trusted Source).

Consuming high amounts of sodium can increase fluid retention, which can cause
issues like swelling, bloating, and puffiness (5Trusted Source).

Decreasing sodium intake is also recommended to help reduce blood pressure in

those with high blood pressure (6Trusted Source).

Additionally, the acetic acid in pickle juice may worsen certain digestive issues,
including gas, bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhea (7Trusted Source).

If you decide to try drinking pickle juice to treat a hangover, stick to a small amount
of around 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 mL) and discontinue use if you experience any
adverse effects.

SUMMARY

Pickle juice is high in sodium, which may cause fluid retention and should be limited
in those with high blood pressure. The acetic acid in pickle juice may also worsen
digestive issues, such as gas, bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Other hangover remedies

Although research shows that pickle juice may not have much of an effect on
hangover symptoms, many other natural remedies may be beneficial.

Here are a few other hangover remedies that you can try instead:

 Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can improve hydration, which may

alleviate several symptoms of dehydration.
  Eat a good breakfast. Low blood sugar levels can worsen hangover
symptoms like headache, dizziness, and fatigue. Eating a good breakfast first
thing in the morning can settle your stomach and balance your blood sugar
levels (8Trusted Source).
 Get some sleep. Alcohol intake can disrupt sleep, which may contribute to
hangover symptoms. Getting plenty of sleep can help your body recover so
you can get back to feeling your best (9Trusted Source).
 Try supplements. Certain supplements like ginger, red ginseng, and prickly
pear may be effective against hangover symptoms. Be sure to talk to a
healthcare professional before starting to take a new supplement (10Trusted
Source).
SUMMARY

Aside from drinking pickle juice, there are plenty of other ways to decrease
hangover symptoms naturally.

The bottom line

Pickle juice contains important minerals like sodium and potassium, which can be
depleted by excess alcohol consumption.

However, although pickle juice may encourage increased water intake, studies
show that it’s unlikely to have much of an effect on electrolyte levels and could even
be harmful in high amounts.

While most research suggests that pickle juice may not be effective against
hangover symptoms, there are plenty of other natural remedies available that can
help provide relief.

To help prevent a hangover in the first place, remember to stay hydrated with water
while drinking.

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