With lots of natural drinks available today, you may wonder what makes one better than the other. It even gets more interesting when they look alike with similar ingredients. An example of that is pickle juice and apple cider vinegar.
If you don’t know the two drinks well, you may take one for the other. But are they different? Or are they the same thing with different names?
This post will answer the questions you have about pickle juice and apple cider vinegar. And at the end of this post, the confusion about them will clear up.
Pickle Juice Vs. Apple Cider Vinegar
To compare pickle juice and apple cider vinegar, you have to understand what they are.
Pickle juice is a brine made from salt and vinegar. It helps to improve the immune system and aids hydration. Sometimes, you can add cucumber, which adds a natural probiotic to it.
However, the popular ones that you can get from stores don’t contain cucumbers. And so, the probiotic (Lactobacillus bacteria) is absent.
On the other hand, the fermentation of crushed apples in water and sugar creates apple cider vinegar. The process turns the sweetened liquid into alcohol and then to acetic acid. That gives vinegar its sour taste.
The two substances have essential health benefits. They contain essential minerals and vitamins. The presence of vinegar in pickle juice also gives it some similar benefits as apple cider vinegar.
Benefits Of Pickle Juice
Relief cramps:
Pickle juice helps to relieve muscle cramps and at a fast rate too. No wonder it’s a popular choice for athletes. It’s also becoming a common alternative for sports drinks. It’s an excellent remedy for pains and aches after a strenuous exercise or sports activity.
Pickle juice can also be helpful for menstrual cramps.
Prevent dehydration:
Pickle juice helps to prevent dehydration. That’s because it contains potassium and sodium, which your body loses when you sweat. So, it can help you recover from dehydration faster than plain water.
Prevent bad breath:
You can prevent bad breath using pickle juice. It eliminates the bacteria that cause that in the mouth.
Great for a hangover:
Pickle juice can treat hangovers. They happen because water and electrolytes reduce in the body due to excess alcohol. But pickle juice restores the balance by filling up the lost salt. And that also makes you drink more water and so hydrates you.
Improves gut health:
Pickle juice contains probiotics that improve gut health. Those healthy bacteria increase your digestive health. It also reduces the risks of some illnesses like a sore throat. Ensure you consult your doctor before you use it to treat such diseases.
However, bear in mind that most commercial pickle juice no longer contains such beneficial bacteria. That’s because of pasteurization. As such, they won’t have much effect on your gut health.
Controls blood sugar:
Because vinegar is usually in pickle juice, it aids healthy blood sugar. Taking it at mealtime can help reduce blood sugar spikes. But it’s best to consult your doctor if you’re taking medications for that.
Help weight loss:
Pickle juice can help your weight loss program. It contains few calories and no fat. So, you can choose it as a high-calorie energy drink.
Commercial pickle juice also contains vinegar, which can aid in weight loss.
Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Get rid of harmful bacteria:
Apple cider vinegar can kill harmful bacteria and pathogens. It contains acetic acid, which helps to prevent bacteria growth and also kills them. It was previously a disinfectant in traditional medicine. It was also helpful in treating some infections.
You can also use it as a natural food preservative without worrying about spoilage. That’s because it prevents the growth of bacteria that spoils food.
Reduce blood sugar:
Vinegar reduces blood sugar levels in the body. So, it’s excellent for managing and treating type 2 diabetes. That’s because it improves insulin sensitivity. It also minimizes blood sugar responses after you eat a meal.
However, if you’re already taking medications, talk to your doctor before increasing your vinegar intake.
Even if you do not have diabetes, you can still benefit from apple cider vinegar. It can help keep your blood sugar within the normal range.
Bear in mind that high blood sugar can lead to aging quickly and result in some serious illnesses. If you can’t keep away from sugar and refined carbs, then vinegar can significantly benefit you.
Can help weight loss:
If you’re up to lose a couple of pounds, apple cider vinegar can come in handy. It’s known to increase the feeling of being full. That way, you can cut down on calories with ease. You won’t have to force it on yourself.
Consuming apple cider vinegar can help you lose weight and reduce belly fat. However, effective long-term weight loss depends on lifestyle habits. The right supportive diet is also essential.
Apple cider vinegar contains low calories. And that’s about three calories per tablespoon.
Improve skin health:
You can improve your skin health using apple cider vinegar. It’s proven to cure skin problems like eczema and dry skin. It has antibacterial properties that can help get rid of such conditions.
Since the skin is usually a bit acidic, using vinegar topically can restore its PH balance. That’s an excellent way to regain its defenses. However, ensure you dilute it before you apply it to your skin. You want to avoid any burns.
You can even dilute apple cider vinegar and use it as a face wash. It may prevent acne because of its antimicrobial properties.
Ensure you talk to your doctor before you use vinegar to treat skin conditions.
How To Make Pickle Juice At Home
Pickle juice is not only available commercially; you can make yours at home. The good thing is that it gives you control over the content of the liquid. Here are the ingredients you need.
- Two cups of white or apple cider vinegar
- Four cups of filtered water
- Two tablespoons of Redmond’s Real or Himalayan pink salt
Other optional ingredients include:
- Eight garlic cloves
- One teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- One teaspoon of mustard seeds
- Four teaspoons of dill
- One teaspoon of fresh, chopped ginger
You’ll also need two one-quart canning jars.
Now, it’s time to prepare your pickle juice.
- Wash the canning jars and leave them to dry.
- Pour water into a large pot and add salt and white vinegar into it. Let the mixture simmer.
- Add any of the optional ingredients to the mixture. You can choose to add all of them. Then allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes so the flavors can blend.
- Put down the pot and allow it to cool.
- Use a mesh or strainer to pour the mixture into the canning jars. You can also pour some into your ready-to-use sports bottle.
- Now store the jars in the fridge. And you’re all done!
Note that you can store your pickle juice in the fridge for up to a month. Ensure that you shake it gently before each use. That’ll help redistribute the content properly.
If you want a clear pickle juice, you can add the spices in a tea ball form.
How To Make Apple Cider Vinegar At home
You can prepare apple cider vinegar at home at a low cost. Here are the ingredients you need.
- 2 cups of chopped apple cores or peelings
- 2 to 3 cups of filtered water
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of sugar or honey
- Glass jar
Here are the directions.
- Put in apple cores or peels into ¾ of the jar glass.
- Add sugar or honey into the filtered water and stir until it dissolves. Then pour the mixture over the apple cores or peels till it covers them up completely. Ensure you leave a few inches of the jar top empty.
- Use a coffee filter or fabric scrap to cover the top of the jar and secure it with a rubber band. You can also use anything that’ll cover it loosely. Then place it in a warm and dark area for two weeks.
- You can stir the mixture within a few days’ interval.
- After two weeks, strain the liquid and dispose of the apple peels or cores. You should be able to perceive the pleasant smell of apple cider at this point. But it may still not have the solid vinegary taste.
- Now, set aside the liquid for another 2 to 4 weeks. You can pour it into a smaller jar and cover it with a clean coffee filter or cheesecloth.
- Once you get the strong smell and taste of vinegar, then it’s ready. If not, you can leave it for a longer time.
- You may notice a gelatinous blob (mother culture) on top of the vinegar. Scoop it off and store it separately. You can use it to start your subsequent batches.
- You can use your homemade vinegar for everything you would, the one you bought from a store.
Note that using honey can slow down the fermentation process a bit.
If you’re using apple peels, they’ll likely float to the top. So use fermentation weights like pickle pebbles to keep them down.
Conclusion
Pickle juice and apple cider vinegar are liquids with excellent mineral contents. They have some similar health benefits because of the presence of vinegar in both. Such benefits include reducing blood sugar and helping weight loss.
But they are different drinks and serve various purposes. You can make any of them at home with ease and gain from their health benefits.
