Drinking Pickle Juice to Soothe a Sore Throat Went Viral on TikTok—Here's What an ENT Doctor Thinks of the Method

Getting a sore throat isn’t just annoying, it can be downright painful. After all, it’s not like you can scratch the inside of your throat to soothe that itchiness. Couple that with the feeling of a perpetual lump in your throat that you just can’t clear and it can be pretty miserable.

Leave it to TikTok to make a hack for instant relief go viral—and it involves something you very likely already have in your fridge: pickle juice! Some users have sworn that drinking pickle juice is the best way to soothe a sore throat, with one post about it generating more than 21,000 views. Posted by user @CookitErica, she says that because of the combination of vinegar, salt and pickle juice, gargling pickle juice works better to soothe a sore throat than gargling salt water (another common way many attempt to soothe a sore throat).

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Can a little pickle really cure that tickle? An ENT doctor gives the verdict on if this viral hack is actually worth trying.

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Is Pickle Juice Good for a Sore Throat?

The theory behind pickle juice being a sore throat soother stems from its inclusion of vinegar and salt, which are thought to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation in the throat. Considering that many people gargle salt water when they have a sore throat, it’s not that wild of an idea. One scientific study does show that gargling salt water can help protect against upper respiratory tract infections.

So what about pickle juice? According to Dr. Yael Bensoussan, MD, MSc, FRCSC, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine Otolaryngology and a laryngologist at USF Voice Center, there’s no evidence behind it. “I can’t recommend it, based on [the lack of scientific] evidence,” she explains.

Related: Dealing With a Sore, Scratchy Throat? Load Up On These 20 Foods to Get Some Relief

That’s not to say that pickle juice isn’t without its benefits. While there isn’t any scientific evidence showing it can soothe a sore throat or help recover from illness faster, scientific studies do show that drinking pickle juice can help keep blood sugar levels steady, help the body recover after exercise (due to its electrolytes and sodium), and support gut health due to its probiotics.

While we’re on the subject of gargling when you’re sick, it’s important to know that though gargling salt water may help protect against upper respiratory tract infections, it cannot protect against or “cure” the COVID-19 virus.

Related: When It Suddenly Hurts to Swallow, You Know a Sore Throat Is Coming On—Try These Natural Remedies to Beat It

What To Do Instead

If pickle juice isn't going to help heal your sore throat, what will? Dr. Bensoussan says that if your sore throat is due to a virus, she recommends lots of hydration and potentially taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as Advil or ibuprofen. Curious as to whether consuming hot liquids (like soup or tea) works better than cold liquids? Scientific studies point to hot liquid being a little better at soothing a sore throat and healing from upper respiratory tract infections.

“There are also soothing medications that ‘numb’ the inside of your throat that can feel soothing, such as Cepacol,” Dr. Bensoussan says. Some other medications that work similarly to Cepacol that can help soothe a sore throat include Vicks VapoCool throat spray, Halls throat lozenges, and Ricola throat lozenges.

Related: 7 Reasons Why Your Throat May Be Sore—and How To Get Relief Fast

There is also some scientific evidence that certain herbal teas can help soothe a sore throat—particularly a bacterial sore throat, such as strep throat. This includes ginger tea, licorice tea and oregano tea.

In general, Dr. Bensoussan says it’s best not to follow every TikTok trend that comes across your For You feed. Instead of gargling pickle juice in hopes that it will help you recover faster, stick with what has long been proven to help the body recover from illness: Getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated and taking an NSAID if needed. Sometimes, it’s best to go with what's tried-and-true, not the buzziest.

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Sources

• Dr. Yael Bensoussan, MD, MSc, FRCSC, assistant professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine Otolaryngology and a laryngologist at USF Voice Center

• Prevention of upper respiratory tract infections by gargling: a randomized trial. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

• 6 Health Benefits of Drinking Pickle Juice. Cleveland Clinic.

• The effectiveness of various gargle formulations of salt water against SARS Co-V-2. Scientific Reports.

• Effects of drinking hot water, cold water, and chicken soup on nasal mucus velocity and nasal airflow resistance. Chest.

• Herbal Tea for the Management of Pharyngitis: Inhibition of Streptococcus pyogenes Growth and Biofilm Formulations of Herbal Infusions. Biomedicines.