Consume Pure honey From a single floral source may improve blood sugar control and lower cholesterol levels when consumed in the context of a healthy diet, according to a recent study published in Nutrition Reviews.
“These findings are surprising because honey contains about 80% sugar,” said Tauseef Khan, senior researcher on the study and research associate in nutritional sciences at the institute. University of Toronto Temerti Medical College, in a press release.
“We are not saying you should start eating honey if you are currently avoiding sugar,” Khan added.
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“The takeaway is more about substitution,” he said.
“If you’re using table sugar, syrup, or another sweetener, replacing those sugars with honey may help Decreased cardiometabolic riskHe said in the same version.
What exactly is honey?
The study authors noted, “Honey is a complex composition of polysaccharides (common and rare), organic acids, enzymes, proteins, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive substances made by honey bees from the nectar of flowers.”
Honey and sugar are both carbohydrates. They’re made from glucose and fructose, but they each have different nutrients, texture, and flavor.
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Honey and sugar are both carbohydrates. That means they’re made of glucose and fructose, but they each have different nutrient profiles, texture, and flavor, Emma Ling, PhD, RDN, told Fox News Digital.
She is the Director of Dietetics at the University of Georgia and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Some people may have an allergic reaction to certain components of honey – and honey is not safe for infants under 12 months of age.
“Honey has been described as ‘healthier’ in some nutritional respects,” she said. “However, sugar may be preferred based on taste and affordability.”
“Sweeteners in general are often considered unhealthy, but consuming small amounts shouldn’t cause ill effects among most people – so they shouldn’t be feared,” she said.
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When people consume too much of these ingredients, they may experience significant changes in blood sugar, digestive discomfort or an increased risk of tooth decay.
Ling also said that some people She may have an allergic reaction of certain ingredients of honey – and that honey is not safe for infants under 12 months of age.
A new study shows that honey consumption is associated with lower levels of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.
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High intake of free sugars contributes to this Increased obesityAnd type 2 diabetes and heart disease, according to previous research.
“The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that no more than 10% of your total daily calories come from sugar — and that includes honey,” Ling told Fox News Digital.
Honey may lower blood sugar and cholesterol
Toronto researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 clinical trials involving more than 1,100 participants to determine honey’s effect on heart and metabolic risk factors, according to the study’s press release.
“In our study, we combined the results of all human trials of honey that looked at metabolic diseases,” Khan told Fox News Digital.
“There is no harm [in taking honey] A small reduction can also be beneficial in the long term,” said one of the senior researchers.
“We were able to evaluate the studies that reported [on] alfalfa and flower honey Robinia and curing species, which have shown benefits for several metabolic outcomes for these flower species as well as for raw honey.”
Honey consumption has been associated with lower levels of fasting blood glucosetotal cholesterol and triglycerides.
Senior researcher Khan said there is a difference between processed and raw honey in terms of health benefits.
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Khan told Fox News Digital the magnitude of the glucose and cholesterol reduction was “clinically very small.”
He added: “The glucose reduction was 0.2 mmol/L, which is very small – though not insignificant.”
“Same with cholesterol, which decreased by 0.18 mmol/L.” He said, “This reduction is also insignificant compared to the drugs.”
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However, it does show no harm [in taking honey] A small reduction can also be beneficial in the long run.”
Raw honey versus processed honey
Khan pointed out that there is a difference between processed and raw honey in terms of health benefits.
“Traditional honey processing involves straining, straining and then heating for a short period of time to reduce moisture and yeast,” Khan told Fox News Digital.
“More studies of unique sources of single flowers are needed.”
This, he said, allows for easier processing of the honey, but is actually detrimental to the honey – and many of its bioactive compounds lose their effect.
“Raw honey is filtered and filtered, but not heated,” he said.
Study limitations
Khan noted that a major limitation of the study was that the results were limited by the availability of data.
He added, “There are many varieties of honey for which no human studies have been conducted, so we have not been able to evaluate them.”
People might consider adding honey to their diets if they “enjoy the flavor and seek to add variety to an overall nutritious eating pattern,” says one registered dietitian.
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“Another limitation is that many of the studies used multifloral honey, which is blended honey — and one can’t tell where the flowers came from.”
“More studies of the unique single flower sources are needed,” he noted.
An overall nutritious eating pattern
Ling recommended that people consider adding honey to their diets if they “enjoy the flavor and seek to add variety to an overall nutritious eating pattern.”
She also noted that people may experience “substitution [a] Sweetener with sugar with honey, keeping in mind that honey has a sweeter taste – so smaller quantities will be required. ”
“We need more studies before we can prove on a larger scale that honey consumption has an effect on controlling blood sugar and lipid levels.”
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Khan suggested getting raw honey from local beekeepers or bee farms.
He added that any flower honey can be purchased, such as alfalfa honey, as well as robinia. “Robinia honey is usually sold as acacia honey,” he said.
Study effects
“The data from this study alone do not justify changing current recommendations for honey consumption,” Ling noted.
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She added that the study is “scientifically strong, however we need more studies before we can prove on a larger scale that there is an effect of honey consumption on blood sugar control and lipid levels.”
“The data from this study alone does not justify changing current recommendations for honey consumption.”
She also noted that “positive health outcomes do not focus on eating a single food such as honey.”
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“They are associated with dietary patterns that include vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, low-fat or skim dairy products, lean meats and poultry, seafood, nuts, and unsaturated vegetable oils.”
Those considering making changes to their diet should consult their medical professionals first.