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There isn’t any scientific proof that the tangy liquid offers relief for GERD symptoms
A rumored tonic for heartburn is probably sitting in your refrigerator right now. But before you crack open that jar of pickles and start chugging down pickle juice for relief, it might be good to get a few facts.
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With that in mind, we turn to gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD.
Let’s get to the point: No research supports the theory that drinking pickle juice can tame heartburn and acid reflux. (Apologies to the millions and millions of people who REALLY want a different answer.)
“There are many people who feel pickle juice works for them,” says Dr. Lee, “but there is no science backing that up.”
Pickle juice does have benefits, though, which helps explain the heartburn hypothesis.
Fermented pickles (and pickle juice) contain probiotics, after all. Studies show this gut-friendly bacteria can be beneficial in maintaining a healthy gut biome, which can guard against all sorts of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders — including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms like heartburn.
Unfortunately, most pickles found on store shelves have gone through a pasteurization process (or heating) that kills both bad and “good” bacteria — so there goes that idea.
Vinegar is also a common ingredient in on-the-shelf jars of pickles, and there’s a belief that its acidity can help soothe heartburn symptoms. But it’s more likely that the overwhelming “acid splash” simply masks GERD symptoms instead of resolving them.
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In addition, vinegar can irritate your esophageal and stomach lining to cause tummy trouble.
Bottom line? Despite what you may see on social media, don’t expect to bite into a dill pickle and cure your heartburn. (Plus, there’s a chance you’ll just make a bad situation even worse, says Dr. Lee.)
If you’re looking for a natural remedy for heartburn. Dr. Lee suggests trying the following:
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