How much water weight could one feasibly retain from eating an entire pickle?

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 01 Jul 2003 17:30 PDT

What size pickle are we talking about? Sweet or sour?

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Clarification of Question by julie99-ga on 01 Jul 2003 18:52 PDT

Well, I'm from NY so it's a "Boar's Head" pickle which can be
purchased from the local deli.  Other than that, I would say it's
about maybe 5 in. in length and 2 in. wide.

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Clarification of Question by julie99-ga on 01 Jul 2003 18:59 PDT

Oh, best guess on type...maybe dill?  It's very zesty.  Garlic maybe?

What an interesting question! As a pickle-lover, I found this
fascinating to research. And the answer is rather astonishing.

According to fitness expert Lori Corbin:

"Just 1 teaspoon (1 gram sodium) of salt holds 16 ounces of water!"

AZ Family
http://www.azfamily.com/health/fcoach/KTVKFcoach20020226.1453077.html

The Colorado State University Cooperative Extension tells us that one
average dill pickle contains about 928 milligrams of sodium, and one
average sweet pickle contains 128 milligrams of sodium:

Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09354.html

Assuming these figures to be accurate, 14.8 ounces of water (nearly a
pint!) would be retained by the body after the consumption of a dill
pickle; only 2 ounces of water would be retained after the consumption
of a sweet pickle. Of course, the way the body reacts to sodium varies
considerably from person to person, so I suggest taking this
information (I've got to say it) with a grain of salt.

I hope this helps. If this is not the kind of data you're looking for,
please request clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance
before you rate my answer.

Best wishes,
pinkfreud

excellent, as are all the answers you post!