Is a Spoonful of Honey a Day Good for You? Benefits, Side Effects (2024)

  • Side Effects
    • Are there any side effects of honey?
  • Honey During Pregnancy
    • Is honey safe during pregnancy?
  • Honey and Diabetes
    • Is honey safe for people with diabetes?
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Is a Spoonful of Honey a Day Good for You? Benefits, Side Effects (1)

Consuming two tablespoons of honey a day can offer health benefits such as antioxidants, better wound healing, and anti-inflammatory properties.

A spoonful of honey (about 21 grams) has the following nutritional content:

  • Energy: 64 kcal
  • Fructose (a type of carbohydrate): 8.6 grams
  • Total carbohydrates: 17.3 grams
  • Protein: 0.06 grams
  • Various minerals: calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, copper, phosphorus, fluoride, and selenium
  • Small amounts of vitamins (such as vitamin C, folate, B vitamins)
  • Various antioxidants or polyphenols

Honey is a form of sugar and, hence, must be consumed in moderation. The World Health Organization recommends adults should obtain no more than 10 percent of their total calories from added sugar or natural sugars, including honey, fruit juices, and syrups. Additionally, according to the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, less than six percent of an adult’s total calories should come from added sugar or natural sugars, including honey. Hence, if a person requires 2,000 calories a day, no more than 120 calories should come from sugar, honey, and other added or natural sugars combined. This is roughly two tablespoons (about 40 grams) of honey. Honey in any form must, however, not be given to children younger than a year old.

Nonetheless, when consumed in moderation, the health benefits of honey include:

Are there any side effects of honey?

Honey must not be given to children younger than 12 months old due to the risk of a severe type of food poisoning called botulism.

Honey produced from the nectar of Rhododendron flowers must also be avoided because that type of honey contains a toxin that can cause serious health issues, including heart problems, chest pain, and low blood pressure.

If taking any medications (including blood thinners, anti-seizure medications, antidepressant medications, antifungals, or steroid medications, etc.), ask your doctor before consuming honey because it may increase the side effects of these medications.

Since honey is made from pollen, it can worsen pollen allergies in sensitive individuals.

Is honey safe during pregnancy?

Honey is generally safe when consumed as food by pregnant or breastfeeding women in moderation. Because there is a lack of data on the safety of honey for medicinal purposes in pregnant or breastfeeding women, they must avoid using honey for medicinal purposes or topical applications.

Is honey safe for people with diabetes?

Because honey is a form of sugar, it can raise blood sugar levels in people with diabetes when consumed in large amounts. Honey can also lead to increased glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, which give a long-term average of blood sugar levels. Honey may be included in a diabetic diet in moderation after consulting a doctor. People with diabetes must avoid applying honey at dialysis exit sites because it may increase the risk of infection.

Is a Spoonful of Honey a Day Good for You? Benefits, Side Effects (2)

QUESTION

According to the USDA, there is no difference between a “portion” and a “serving.” See Answer

References

Food Data Central. Honey. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169640/nutrients

Pry W. Is Honey Healthy? How to Make Sure You Don't Get Stung. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/11/05/is-honey-healthy-how-to-make-sure-you-dont-get-stung

RxList. Honey. https://www.rxlist.com/honey/supplements.htm

Is a Spoonful of Honey a Day Good for You? Benefits, Side Effects (2024)

FAQs

Is a Spoonful of Honey a Day Good for You? Benefits, Side Effects? ›

Taking one spoonful of honey every day can have numerous benefits to your health. Honey has been used for its nutritional value since ancient times. It has also been found to be beneficial in the treatment of many clinical conditions. The main nutrients in honey are carbohydrates in the form of glucose and fructose.

What are the 5 side effects of honey? ›

Safety and side effects
  • Wheezing and other asthmatic symptoms.
  • Dizziness.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Weakness.
  • Excessive perspiration.
  • Fainting.
  • Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

What happens if you eat a spoon of honey every day? ›

Researchers have found that honey may increase adiponectin levels, a hormone that reduces inflammation and improves blood sugar regulation. There's also evidence that daily honey intake may improve fasting blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Is it better to eat honey in the morning or at night? ›

In addition, it influences serotonin, a hormone that helps regulate mood, pain and sleep. In this way, drinking honey at night will help us get a restful sleep and our body has a better rest and mood. Eating honey at night lowers blood pressure, therefore the body will be more relaxed and controlled.

What happens if you take honey every morning? ›

If so, there are health benefits of eating honey daily, especially on an empty stomach. Many people believe that one of the benefits of honey in the morning is detoxification. Many people also report having good digestion when consuming honey. Honey consumption on a daily basis can also aid in healthy and radiant skin.

Who should avoid honey? ›

Diabetes: Using large amounts of honey might increase blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Honey contains sugar and should be used in moderation. Pollen allergies: Avoid honey if you are allergic to pollen. Honey, which is made from pollen, may cause allergic reactions.

What are the disadvantages of eating honey everyday? ›

Honey also has sugar and carbohydrates—that too in large amounts. So when you go overboard with honey, your blood sugar level tends to shoot up. If you are diabetic, you can see an abnormal rise in your blood sugar levels with can be dangerous.

What type of honey is the healthiest? ›

When it comes to choosing the healthiest honey, you should look for one that is raw. Raw honeys are not pasteurized and bypass filtration, a process that may reduce its nutrients. A great variety of raw and unfiltered honey is available on Amazon.

How much honey is OK per day? ›

Hence, if a person requires 2,000 calories a day, no more than 120 calories should come from sugar, honey, and other added or natural sugars combined. This is roughly two tablespoons (about 40 grams) of honey. Honey in any form must, however, not be given to children younger than a year old.

What happens if you eat honey before bed? ›

Honey helps sleep better

This is because honey contains tryptophan which is a hormone that helps relax and send sleep signals to the body. Because tryptophan is an essential amino acid but cannot be produced naturally in the body, supplementing through honey before bed brings many benefits to the body.

Can I drink water after eating honey? ›

Honey water is a mixture of honey and warm water. It is a natural sweetener that has many health benefits, including soothing sore throats, aiding weight loss, and supporting digestion. There is no harm in drinking honey water with meals. In fact, it may have some health benefits.

Is honey good for the liver? ›

Honey contains several compounds that are good for liver health. One of these compounds is antioxidants. Honey is rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and ascorbic acid. These are essential for protecting the liver from damage caused by free radicals.

Does honey affect blood pressure? ›

Several studies have been done on the effectiveness of honey. Studies in rats showed that honey does have a modest effect on lowering blood pressure, but studies in humans have not shown a consistent, significant drop in blood pressure. One study used 20 grams, about 1 tablespoon, daily.

What are the side effects of honey on your stomach? ›

Side Effects of Having Excess Honey:

It has the potential to boost your blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should use it with caution and see a doctor before including it into their diet. Stomach Cramps: Consistently consuming too much honey can cause stomach cramps.

What are the pros and cons of honey? ›

The Bottom Line. Honey has been linked to health benefits like improved heart health, wound healing, and blood antioxidant status. However, consuming too much may cause adverse effects due to its high sugar and calorie content. Thus, it's best to use honey to replace other forms of sugar and enjoy it in moderation.

How to know if honey is pure? ›

Take a tablespoon of honey and mix it in a glass of water. If the honey is pure, it will lump together and settle at the bottom without readily dissolving. On the other hand, if it dissolves easily and blends uniformly with the water, it may indicate adulteration, possibly containing added moisture or syrups. 2.

Is 2 tablespoons of honey a day too much? ›

Honey is still a form of sugar and intake should be moderate. The American Heart Association recommends that women get no more than 100 calories a day from added sugars; men no more than 150 calories a day. This is a little over two tablespoons for women and three tablespoons for men.

Is honey healthy yes or no? ›

Honey is high in sugar and may contribute to weight gain. But it also contains beneficial antioxidants and other compounds that may benefit your health. Honey is often marketed as a healthy alternative to regular sugar. This is largely due to the numerous health benefits associated with it and its antioxidant content.

Does honey raise blood pressure? ›

Several studies have been done on the effectiveness of honey. Studies in rats showed that honey does have a modest effect on lowering blood pressure, but studies in humans have not shown a consistent, significant drop in blood pressure. One study used 20 grams, about 1 tablespoon, daily.

Is honey 100% safe? ›

It is safe for people to consume both raw and regular honey, though it is a good idea to avoid types of honey that contain added sugars. Both raw and regular honey may contain tiny amounts of a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria can cause botulism, which is a rare form of food poisoning.

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