Avid pickle lovers agree there aren't many problems that the the pickle can't solve. Now there's evidence enjoying the sour treat reduces stress.
A new study from researchers at William & Mary and the University of Maryland suggests a correlation between eating fermented foods and experiencing less social anxiety.
Young adults who reported eating more foods like pickles, yogurt, sauerkraut, miso soup, kimchi, and some dark chocolates (score) had fewer social anxiety problems.
The possible explanation? A gut feeling–literally.
In girl world, we're always assuming someone is out to get us, but apparently that happens less often when our stomachs are settled. "It is likely that the probiotics in the fermented foods are favorably changing the environment in the gut, and changes in the gut in turn influence social anxiety," said Matthew Hilimire, assistant professor of psychology at W&M.
Because the study used a self-reported questionnaire to explore the mind-gut relationship, nothing's been proven. The researchers' next steps include an experimental phase and another exploration into a link between fermented food intake and autism symptoms, according to Hilimire.
But Delish knows the real reason for the connection comes from the power of the pickle.
Even if you don't like the taste, you should probably keep a pickle on hand anyways to reduce social stress. Just remember how popular it made Porky with Buckwheat.
