Is honey really better for you than other types of sugar?
Heres what you gotta know about eating honey and its potential health benefits.
burwellphotography/Getty Images
Honey has a reputation for being an all-natural sweetener thats better for you than granulated sugar.
Photo:burwellphotography/Getty Images
But does honeys health halo really live up to the hype?
Like regular sugar, maple syrup, coconut sugar or corn syrup, honey is still an added sugar.
However, some research shows that moderate honey consumption may have a few health benefits.
Read on to learn what the buzz about honey is all about (pun intended!
), plus its nutritional value, health benefits and ways to incorporate it into a healthy diet.
Grab a muglets spill the tea on honey!
Luckily, honey is rich in polyphenols, naturally occurring compounds that act like antioxidants to tackle inflammation.
When you do consume added sugars, consider reaching for honey more often.
With 17 grams of sugar per tablespoon, honey is a delicious way to get them.
You May Improve Gut Health
The influence of yourgut healthon your overall health is far-reaching.
Another way to ensure youre keeping the good gut bacteria around?
Provide them with fuel in the form of prebiotics, which are also found in honey.
Although it contains trace amounts of potassium, it does not provide meaningful amounts of other vitamins or minerals.
Beyond the Nutrition Facts panel, honey contains other health-promoting compounds like polyphenols.
Is Honey Safe for Everyone to Eat?
Honey is generally safe to eat, but there are a couple of potential risks for certain people.
Infant botulism is rare, but this serious illness can attack your childs nerves.
On Veggies
We all know that eating your vegetables is important for disease prevention.
You may be surprised to find yourself serving up seconds of thisHoney-Mustard Roasted Cabbage.
Reach for honey to add a bit of sweetness to dressings likeHoney-Garlic Dressing.
For example, honey is paired with flavorful hoisin sauce for this5-Ingredient Honey-Ginger Chickenrecipe.
For vegetarians, honey works well on tempeh, too.
Try thisSesame-Honey Tempeh & Quinoa Bowl.
Hot honeyis having a viral moment, and we admit that were major fans.
Its combo of sweet and spicy works especially well on proteins.
Try thisHot Honey Roast Chicken & Vegetables,Hot Honey Grilled Shrimpor theseCrispy Hot Honey Salmon Bites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Theres nothing wrong with consuming a little honey daily.
Because honey is actually sweeter than regular sugar, a little goes a long way!
Honey is an all-natural sweetener that is rich in antioxidants.
The Bottom Line
There are lots of good reasons to enjoy honey.
Its sweet and delicious and even contains some antioxidants.
However, just like table sugar or corn syrup, it is still sugar.
So if youre a honey lover, keep an eye on serving sizes.
Then, go ahead and drizzle a little into your tea, salad dressing or veggies.
After all, all things in moderation!
2021;21(1):30. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03170-5
American Heart Association.Added Sugars.
Published 2022 Jul 28. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.957932
USDA FoodData Central.Honey.
American Academy of Pediatrics.AAP News.Remind families: honey can cause infant botulism.
Van Horn N, Street M.Infantile Botulism.
StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Published 2021 Jan 26. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.599080
