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Raw Honey May Improve Blood Sugar and Cholesterol, Study Finds
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Health & Science

Raw Honey May Improve Blood Sugar and Cholesterol, Study Finds

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Consuming raw honey from a single floral source may improve blood sugar control and lower cholesterol when part of a healthy diet, according to a study.
  • Researchers suggest honey could be a beneficial replacement for refined sugars, syrups, or other sweeteners.
  • The study analyzed 18 trials and found honey consumption was linked to lower blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, though the effects were clinically small.

Raw honey, particularly from a single floral source, may offer cardiovascular and metabolic benefits when used as a substitute for refined sugars, according to new research. A study published in Nutrition Reviews suggests that consuming honey can improve blood sugar control and reduce cholesterol levels, provided it is integrated into a healthy dietary pattern.

Tauseef Khan, a senior researcher and scientific collaborator in food science at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine, noted the surprising findings given honey's high sugar content. "We are not saying you should start eating honey if you are currently avoiding sugar, this is more about substitution," Khan explained. "If you are using table sugar, syrup, or any other sweetener, replacing those sugars with honey may reduce cardio-metabolic risks."

These findings are surprising because honey is made up of about 80% sugar. We are not saying you should start eating honey if you are currently avoiding sugar, this is more about substitution. If you are using table sugar, syrup, or any other sweetener, replacing those sugars with honey may reduce cardio-metabolic risks.

โ€” Tauseef KhanTauseef Khan, a senior researcher on the study, explained the implications of the findings regarding honey's potential benefits as a sugar substitute.

The research involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 clinical trials encompassing over 1,100 participants. The objective was to assess honey's impact on heart health and metabolic risk factors. The combined results indicated that honey consumption was associated with lower levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Khan clarified that the observed reductions in glucose and cholesterol were clinically minor but emphasized that the findings suggest no harm from honey consumption and potential long-term benefits. He also highlighted a distinction between raw and processed honey, noting that conventional processing, which involves heating, can diminish honey's beneficial bioactive compounds. The study recommends considering honey as a sweetener option for those who enjoy its flavor and seek dietary variety, advising that less may be needed due to its sweeter taste compared to sugar.

However, it shows that there is no harm in taking honey, and that a small reduction can also be beneficial in the long run.

โ€” Tauseef KhanKhan commented on the clinical significance of the observed reductions in glucose and cholesterol levels associated with honey consumption.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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