5 Side Effects of Eating Too Many Pickles

A few pickle slices can wake up a sandwich or burger, and a crunchy spear or two makes for a satisfying snack when you're craving something salty. But is it possible to overdo it?

Pickles are low in calories and fat, and they're technically a vegetable. Still, having too many might leave you feeling less than your best. Here’s why, and what happens when you eat too many pickles.

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.

How Many Pickles Are Too Many?

Wondering whether there's a magic number before these side effects kick in? Here’s what our expert has to say.

“It's hard to say how many pickles you would have to eat to see visible symptoms,” Mangieri says. “It really depends on the total diet and whether or not the type of pickles being consumed are fermented or pickled in vinegar.”

That said, one average-sized jarred dill pickle contains around 650 milligrams of sodium, Mangieri notes. Considering that's about a quarter of the way to your total daily sodium limit, it could be a good stopping point for one meal.

Another idea? “If you love pickles, cut them in slices rather than eating them whole,” Mangieri says. That way, you can enjoy smaller amounts throughout the day while keeping your sodium intake in check — and reducing your risk for other unpleasant side effects.

What About Pickle Juice?

Contrary to what some believe, pickle juice isn't good for your kidneys or liver. But drinking pickle juice may help with dehydration-induced nausea, support recovery after exercise, and stabilize blood sugar, according to Cleveland Clinic.

But just like it's possible to eat too many pickles, you can go overboard with pickle juice and end up with unwanted side effects like bloating and gas. It's hard to say exactly how much is too much for each person, so the best approach may be to start with a small amount and gradually increase it to see how pickle juice affects you.

How to Feel Better

If sitting down to a pickle feast gives you indigestion, experiment with cutting back on the amount you eat until you can find a serving size that doesn't cause symptoms. In the meantime, you can soothe your stomach by sticking to bland, easy-to-digest foods (like crackers or bananas) and drinking plenty of water, according to Cleveland Clinic.

And if your symptoms still aren’t going away, now would be a good time to reach out to your healthcare provider for more personalized medical advice.