What Happens When You Eat Too Many Pickles
Popping pickle after pickle can set the stage for a few different symptoms. Here are five side effects that may occur.
1. You Might Get Gassy
Add pickles to the list of foods that can cause gas. Pickles are cucumbers that undergo a separate brining and fermentation process. Fermented foods are rich in probiotic bacteria, which are actually good for your gut. But, according to Cleveland Clinic, eating too many probiotic foods like pickles can sometimes make you gassy.
2. You Could Feel Bloated
Bloating often stems from trapped gas that hasn’t yet been released from your gastrointestinal tract, so it may come as no surprise that pickles can give you that puffed-out feeling. But that’s not the only thing going on. While pickles are low in calories and high in fiber, they tend to be quite high in sodium, which can worsen bloating, according to Cleveland Clinic.
“Sodium helps the body retain water, so consuming too much salt can lead to extra fluid buildup. The result is swelling, typically in the face, hands, feet, and ankles,” says Pittsburgh-based food, fitness, and nutrition consultant Heather Mangieri, RDN.
And you may not have to eat much to notice the effects. “Eat two pickles, and you’ve consumed over 50 percent of the maximum recommended daily sodium intake,” Mangieri says.
3. You May Burp a Lot
Those same factors that result in pickles causing flatulence can cause gas to come out the other end, too. That said, if you’re eating an excessive amount of pickles, it’s possible that you might notice more burping.
4. You Might Feel Thirsty
Notice your mouth feels kind of like cotton after chowing down on those pickles? That’s to be expected. Sodium-heavy foods — everything from pickles to chips to pizza — have a tendency to leave you parched.
When high levels of sodium flood your bloodstream, the body tries to compensate by increasing thirst. That’s because drinking water can help bring your electrolyte levels back into balance and make you feel less thirsty, according to research published in the scientific journal Hypertension.
5. You Could Notice Some Heartburn
Heartburn often occurs after eating sharp, acidic, or vinegary foods, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Because some pickles are fermented in vinegar, eating too many of them can raise your risk of experiencing heartburn. It’s a good idea to be extra mindful of your intake, especially if you have underlying conditions like acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease.