Honey is frequently praised as a natural sweetener and considered a healthier alternative to granulated sugar.
But does honey truly live up to its reputation? Like other sweeteners such as maple syrup, coconut sugar, or corn syrup, honey is still an added sugar.
Read Also:Things That Happen To Your Body When You Eat Sugar
However, research suggests that modest honey consumption may offer some health benefits.
Here’s all you need to know about honey, its nutritional profile, potential health perks, and how to enjoy it as part of a healthy diet.
Potential health benefits of honey
1. Reducing chronic inflammation
Honey contains high levels of antioxidants, which can help protect your body’s cells from free radical damage.
If left uncontrolled, this damage can lead to chronic inflammation, elevating the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Fortunately, honey contains polyphenols, which are natural substances that function as antioxidants and help fight inflammation.
2. May improve heart health
Despite being high in sugar, honey may have some heart-health benefits. The American Heart Association recommends keeping added sugars to no more than 6% of total daily calories (6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men).
When it comes to additional sugars, honey may be a better option. According to research, eating around 2 tablespoons of honey each day for 8 weeks may help lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides—all of which are risk factors for heart disease.
3. May Fuel Workouts
Athletes rely on simple carbs for energy during intensive exercise, and honey, with 17 grammes of sugar per tablespoon, is a quick and pleasant fuel source.
According to research, honey can be just as effective as sports gels in terms of performance and fatigue prevention.
Furthermore, honey’s immune-boosting characteristics may aid to mitigate the consequences of rigorous exercise on the body.
4. May improve gut health
Your gut health is crucial to your overall well-being. A healthy gut microbiome contains a diverse range of helpful bacteria, and preliminary research suggests that honey’s antibacterial properties may aid in the growth of good bacteria while lowering dangerous ones.
Honey also contains prebiotics, which feed these good bacteria and assist to keep the gut balanced.
