Apr 8, 20222 min read

Pickle Juice and Intermittent Fasting | Your Complete Guide

Pickle juice and Intermittent Fasting: should you be using pickle juice with your Intermittent Fasting schedule? Today, we're diving into everything you need to know about pickle juice with Intermittent Fasting.

Does Pickle Juice Break a Fast?

Depending on the brand, at 3.5 ounces, pickle juice contains less than 1 gram of carbohydrates, about 500mg sodium, 170mg potassium and 23mg calcium. Because pickle juice contains less than one gram of carbohydrate, it will not spike insulin and therefore it won't break a fast. However, make sure the brand you're using does not contain added sugar -- otherwise this will break your fast.

In fact, due to pickle juice's relatively high electrolyte level, it might even have some added perks for your Intermittent Fast. More on that below. Pickle juice also typically contains vinegar. Drinking diluted vinegar has been found to help stabilize post-prandial (after eating) blood glucose levels.(1) If weight loss is your goal, this blood glucose stabilization can help the body more easily burn fat as fuel by decreasing the amount of insulin required to reduce the blood glucose level.

Pssst - wondering what type of fasting is best for your goals? Click below for my free Intermittent Fasting Schedule quiz to find out!

Can You Use Pickle Juice For Electrolytes?

While Intermittent Fasting, the dip in the storing hormone insulin causes the body to release quite a bit of water and sodium. This loss in sodium can lead to an electrolyte imbalance and result in headaches, low energy or possibly even muscle cramps. To help alleviate this common side effect with Intermittent Fasting, it's important to consume enough water and electrolytes to balance out electrolyte levels.

As sodium is the main electrolyte lost while fasting, this is the main electrolyte we're concerned with replacing. Pickle juice (depending on the brand) will contain around 500mg sodium. Therefore, you can help to replace lost electrolytes - and get an extra boost of blood glucose stabilizing action from the vinegar - by sipping on 3-4 oz. pickle juice during your fast. Some studies have suggested that sipping on pickle juice can also help reduce muscle cramps.(2)

Whether you choose pickle juice or not, replacing lost electrolytes is key while Intermittent Fasting. This is why the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle Programs incorporates Celtic Sea Salt into the fast to help balance electrolyte levels while fasting.