Does honey have side effects?

Author: Eleanora Hermann DDS  |  Last update: Sunday, July 13, 2025

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.

Is there anything unhealthy about honey?

While honey is a natural sweetener rich in antioxidants, overconsumption can lead to health issues like weight gain, increased blood sugar levels, and digestive discomfort due to its high fructose content. Excessive intake might also strain the liver and increase the risk of insulin resistance.

Is a spoonful of honey a day good for you?

Yes, a spoonful of honey a day is good for you as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Honey offers antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. But some honey types are more potent in these properties than others. Manuka honey has been studied for decades for its unique antibacterial potency.

What is the disadvantage of honey?

Some of the disadvantages associated with honey include: High calorie count: One tablespoon of honey contains about 64 calories , which is slightly higher than sugar at around 50 calories per tablespoon.

Who should not eat honey?

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.

Side Effects of Honey (How Honey May Damage Your Health)

What is the healthiest alternative to sugar?

Sweeteners like fruit juice, honey, molasses and maple syrup contain natural sugar and have some nutritional benefits. Fruit has fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Even raw honey and maple syrup can contain antioxidants and minerals like iron, zinc, calcium and potassium.

What is the side effect of taking too much honey?

Digestive issues like constipation can get worse with too much consumption of honey. The high fructose content in honey can lead to constipation, even if you don't have any existing issue. It can also lead to bloating or diarrhoea as your body cannot digest too much sugar at once.

Should honey be kept in the fridge?

If bacteria cannot grow in honey, then it cannot spoil. This basically gives it an indefinite shelf life. Liquid honey however should be stored in your cupboard at room temperature as if it is kept in the refrigerator; the cooler temperature will promote and speed up the crystallization of liquid honey.

Is honey good for high blood pressure?

Anti-Inflammatory Wonders

Besides its antioxidant properties, honey boasts anti-inflammatory effects. Chronic inflammation is a known contributor to high blood pressure and other heart issues. By soothing inflammation, honey might help lower blood pressure and boost heart health.

What is the best time to eat honey?

Usually the doctors recommend honey to be taken empty stomach early in the morning as it gives an instant kick and energy boost which is enough to counter an entire day. Also, while going to bed, a spoonful of honey not only gives a good night's sleep but also helps in digestion and relaxation of mind and body.

What does honey do to the heart?

Honey protects the heart via lipid metabolism improvement, antioxidative activity, blood pressure modulation, heartbeat restoration, myocardial infarct area reduction, antiaging properties, and cell apoptosis attenuation.

What two foods can you survive on?

A balanced diet of survival food will ensure that your body is getting all the protein, carbs, minerals, and vitamins it requires to remain healthy. If you could only select five foods to survive on, potatoes, kale, trail mix, grains, and beans would get you pretty far.

Can honey cause heart palpitations?

Mad honey intoxication is rarely and locally seen, and it can cause cardiac arrhythmias from mild to life threatening health problems. A 52 year-old female patient admitted to our emergency room with dizziness and fatigue after ingestion of bitter honey.

How to tell if honey is bad?

The first thing to note here is that if your honey is bad, you will know your honey is bad because it will be fermented and it will taste sour instead of sweet. Crystallization is a natural process and does not mean that the honey is bad.

Does honey help you sleep?

Raw and unfiltered honey can hydrate your skin, soothe your throat, help heal wounds and sweeten everything it touches, but it can also help you get a sweet night's sleep. Raw honey, eaten just before bed, helps you snooze in two general ways: It provides easy-to-access fuel for your brain throughout the night.

Can you put honey in coffee?

Yes, why not? Honey in coffee is a perfect match of health with sweetness. You can add honey in coffee to make it delightful. This combination offers a sweet taste that enhances the flavor and creates a unique and enjoyable taste.

Why do I feel bad after eating honey?

Honey can potentially trigger allergic reactions in some people. These reactions are usually associated with pollen or bee venom, both of which can be present in honey. Symptoms can range from mild, like itching or hives, to severe, including anaphylaxis. Always seek medical advice if you suspect an allergy.

Can you use honey on your private area?

Honey also has antifungal activity, and clinical studies have shown that honey has a positive effect on treating vaginal fungal infections. Therefore, honey may also have an impact on commensal fungi and, subsequently, the balance of the vaginal microbiota.

Why was stevia banned?

The Health Concerns: Why Did the FDA Have Issues with Stevia? Stevia was initially banned because some highly alarming early studies suggested that the sweetener might be linked to cancer. There were also other concerns about the sweet compounds in stevia leaves, known as steviol glycosides.

What is the most unhealthy artificial sweetener?

Dates, honey maple syrup, and coconut sugar are your best sugar alternatives. The occasional use of stevia and monk fruit are also good options. The worst sweeteners include artificial sweeteners like sucralose, saccharin, and aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, agave, and brown rice syrup.

Is cane sugar bad for you?

Cane sugar is the type made from sugarcane. The sucrose molecules in both types of sugar are identical, so scientifically there isn't much difference. Like all types of added sugars, cane sugar is usually linked with negative health effects like weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

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