Since time immemorial, honey has been prized for its flavour and natural qualities, making it a popular sweetener. Still, the question lurks if honey is safe to consume or not, for those who have diabetes. The connection between honey and diabetes, and how it affects blood sugar levels are covered in this article.

What is the nutritional value of honey?

Honey is primarily composed of sugars, mainly fructose and glucose making it a simple carbohydrate. It has more benefits than refined sugar but still it has to be consumed with caution. Here’s a breakdown of its nutritional value:

Nutrient	Amount per 1 tsp (5 g)
Calories	15
Carbohydrates	4.0 g
Sugars	3.9 g
Protein	0 g
Fat	0 g
Fibre	0 g
Vitamins	Trace amounts
Minerals	Trace amounts

Notes

• Honey mainly consists of sugars, primarily fructose and glucose.
• It provides a small number of calories and minimal nutrients.
• Although it contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, it’s not a major source of these.

This makes honey a quick source of energy, but it should be consumed in moderation, especially for those monitoring their sugar intake.

Can a diabetic person consume honey?

Yes, a diabetic can add honey to their diet. Because honey has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar, blood sugar levels rise more slowly when it is consumed. For those who have diabetes, this may partially make it a better option.

But one has to be cautious while adding and consuming honey into their diet. Honey can still impact blood glucose levels due to its sugar content, thus it is important to watch portion proportions. According to certain research, those who have diabetes may benefit from honey. Honey has antioxidant properties that could be helpful when used in addition to diabetes medication. For diabetic people consuming honey is safer than sugar or glucose in lowering blood sugar levels.  A 2018 study concluded in their studies that there are still difficulties and challenges when using honey in diabetic people.

There are still a lot of unanswered concerns regarding the most effective ways to employ honey and other antioxidants to manage diabetes, particularly when it comes to treating high blood sugar levels and oxidative stress. So it’s important to be cautious while consuming honey.

Will honey increase blood sugar?

It can, although the results are mixed, its impact varies based on the quality (high and real quality vs fake and low quality) and the amount of honey ingested. Even though honey might not immediately cause a large spike in blood sugar, it is nevertheless advisable to consume it in moderation, particularly for people who have diabetes. So, observing how your body responds to honey and sharing it with your healthcare professional is always a smart idea. Honey with a balanced diet and diabetic medication can help you maintain overall blood sugar control. In 2018, studies animal studies and human studies both provided insights, but they show mixed results.

Animal studies

In various experiments with animals, like rats and rabbits, honey has been shown to have different effects:

• Some Studies Show an Increase: In certain cases, honey led to a rise in blood sugar levels, especially in diabetic animals.
• Other Studies Show a Decrease: Conversely, other studies found that honey could lower blood sugar when used alongside diabetes medications.

Human studies

Looking at the human side, particularly in the study with Type 2 diabetes patients:

• No Significant Change in Blood Sugar: After 8 weeks of consuming honey, there was no significant difference in fasting blood sugar levels compared to those who didn’t consume honey.
• Weight and Lipid Benefits: However, those who consumed honey did experience weight loss and improvements in cholesterol levels, which is great for overall health.
• Caution with A1C Levels: Interestingly, the study noted an increase in haemoglobin A1C levels, indicating a need for caution with honey intake.

How much honey can a diabetic have?

Moderation is essential if you have diabetes and are thinking about using honey in your diet. It is generally advised to keep honey intake to no more than 1 teaspoon (5 grams) each day as it can provide flavour without having a major effect on blood sugar levels. However, there is no clinical evidence that says exactly how much honey to consume. Monitoring your blood sugar levels will help you better understand any effects that honey may have on your body. It is important to keep an eye on how your body. It is important to keep an eye on how your body reacts to honey. Since honey contains carbohydrates, make sure to include it in your daily total when calculating your carb intake, particularly if you are on a meal plan.