Overview
Honey is a sweet fluid made by honeybees using the nectar of flowering plants. There are about 320 different varieties of honey, which vary in color, odor and flavor.
Honey contains mostly sugar, as well as a mix of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, zinc and antioxidants. In addition to its use as a natural sweetener, honey is used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial agent. People commonly use honey orally to treat coughs and topically to treat burns and promote wound healing.
What the research says
Research on honey for specific conditions includes:
- Cardiovascular disease. Antioxidants in honey might be associated with reduced risk of heart disease.
- Cough. Studies suggest that eucalyptus honey, citrus honey and labiatae honey can act as a reliable cough suppressant for some people with upper respiratory infections and acute nighttime cough.
- Gastrointestinal disease. Evidence suggests honey might help relieve gastrointestinal tract conditions such as diarrhea associated with gastroenteritis. Honey might also be effective as part of oral rehydration therapy.
- Neurological disease. Studies suggest that honey might offer antidepressant, anticonvulsant and anti-anxiety benefits. In some studies, honey has been shown to help prevent memory disorders.
- Wound care. Topical use of medical-grade honey has been shown to promote wound healing, particularly in burns.
Results might vary because there are no standardized methods for producing honey or verifying its quality.
Our take
Generally safe
Honey is generally safe in adults and children older than age 1. It might be helpful in treating burns, coughs and possibly other conditions.
Safety and side effects
Honey is likely safe for use as a natural sweetener, cough suppressant, and topical product for minor sores and wounds.
Avoid giving honey — even a tiny taste — to babies under the age of 1 year. Honey can cause a rare but serious gastrointestinal condition (infant botulism) caused by exposure to Clostridium botulinum spores. Bacteria from the spores can grow and multiply in a baby's intestines, producing a dangerous toxin.
Some people are sensitive or allergic to specific components in honey, particularly bee pollen. Although rare, bee pollen allergies can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, adverse reactions. Signs and symptoms of a reaction include:
- Wheezing and other asthmatic symptoms
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Excessive perspiration
- Fainting
- Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- Stinging after topical application
Honey might affect blood sugar levels.
Interactions
There's currently no evidence to show how honey might interact with other drugs.
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Aug. 10, 2023
- Armstrong DG, et al. Basic principles of wound management. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 15, 2017.
- Meo SA, et al. Role of honey in modern medicine. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 2017;24:975.
- Samarghandian S, et al. Honey and health: A review of recent clinical research. Pharmacognosy Research. 2017;9:121.
- Honey. Micromedex 2.0 Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Accessed Aug. 15, 2017.
- Honeybee products. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. http://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Accessed Aug. 15, 2017.
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FAQs
However, generally honey has a content of 80–85% carbohydrates, 15–17% water, 0.3% proteins, 0.2% ashes and minor quantities of amino-acids, phenols, pigments and vitamins (Bogdanov et al., 2008, Miguel et al., 2017). Beside these other components are also found in minor concentration.
How does Honey make money? ›
Honey makes commissions from our merchant partners. We earn these commissions when a member uses Honey to find available savings or to activate PayPal Rewards. We work with affiliates to help confirm your purchase, so we can get a commission from the merchant.
How do you use honey in bed? ›
Drinking 1 teaspoon of honey before going to bed can add antioxidant compounds to help reduce blood pressure, prevent high blood pressure to limit cardiovascular risk. A glass of warm water mixed with honey before bed is enough to provide a preventive effect for this cardiovascular complication.
Is a spoonful of honey a day good for you? ›
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.
Does honey go bad? ›
“Honey does not spoil, however for best quality, the USDA recommends storing honey for up to 12 months,” Amidor says. “After that time, it remains safe but the quality may not be as good. If the honey becomes cloudy, crystallized or solidified this is not a food safety concern.”
What is honey good for? ›
Studies suggest that honey might offer antidepressant, anticonvulsant and anti-anxiety benefits. In some studies, honey has been shown to help prevent memory disorders. Wound care. Topical use of medical-grade honey has been shown to promote wound healing, particularly in burns.
Is honey healthier than sugar? ›
So is there a definitive answer to which is healthier, honey or sugar? Both should be consumed in limited amounts. Honey may have a slight edge, but excess consumption of either is more dangerous to your health than the advantage of choosing one over the other.
Is honey a safe app? ›
Is the Honey App Safe? Browser extensions like Honey are usually safe, but there is a potential for abuse. These extensions can include malware, and they are also capable of collecting your private data for various purposes. In the specific case of Honey, it appears to be totally safe.
What stores does honey work with? ›
Honey works on 40,000+ top stores like Macy's, J. Crew, Lowe's, Adidas, Stubhub, Ulta, Target, Sephora, GameStop, Nike, Target, and Pizza Hut. We even find deals on Amazon. Whether you're buying a new wardrobe, booking a long overdue trip, or simply ordering pizza, why miss a deal?
Do you have to pay to use honey? ›
According to Honey, users score an average annual savings of $126, and since the service is free, there's no investment required. Honey is available on both Mac and Windows, and it works with Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera and Edge. Honey also offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android.
Amazon Price Comparison
In the US, Honey compares sellers on Amazon to see if we can find a seller with a lower price, even if that seller isn't the first one you see. It's your price tracking and price history tool all in one.
Does PayPal own Honey? ›
PayPal Honey, formerly known as Honey, is an American technology company and a subsidiary of PayPal known for developing a browser extension that aggregates and automatically applies online coupons on eCommerce websites.
Can you use Honey on your phone? ›
You can use Honey on both your computer and mobile phone or tablet. Shopping Honey through the mobile app will earn you Honey Gold that you can later redeem by using a computer to navigate to the website.
What is the right way to eat honey? ›
Having Honey in lukewarm water every morning improves digestion and helps manage weight. It is a good alternative to sugar and can be taken by diabetics due to its low glycemic index. Honey can be applied on burns and wounds to help prevent infection and promote healing.
Can you drink honey straight? ›
Though raw foods aren't always safe, raw honey is considered safe to eat (except for children under 1 year old).
How to use honey for best results? ›
Doctors recommend to have a spoonful of honey before going to bed. You can also consume a little honey with warm water on empty stomach early in the morning. Having it first thing in the morning, helps increase the metabolism, which in turn helps reduce weight faster.
