Honey Protects Blood Lipids Where Sugar Sends Them Soaring

With rising rates of "diabesity" and sugary foods increasingly linked to chronic diseases, could honey from the hive rescue metabolism from the health havoc wreaked by the refined white stuff? This new clinical study suggests a sticky yes!

While honey and sugar share degrees of perceived sweetness, a recent crossover trial in 37 young adults found 1.2 grams of honey carbohydrate per kg of body weight for a month increased serum triglycerides initially then saw levels normalize, whereas sucrose elevated and sustained the spike for the trial's duration^[1]. Participants also consumed 10% less energy and carbohydrates substituting honey for sucrose's refined rush^[1].

These results support copious existing evidence demonstrating honey significantly lowers blood sugar, lipids, inflammation, oxidative stress, and body weight in animal models and humans versus equivalent sweeteners^[2-7]. Unlike golden honey brimming with enzymes, antioxidants, probiotics and vitamins, isolated white sugar supplies little beyond quick and ruthless spikes in blood glucose and triglycerides accompanying long-term metabolic distress. 

With world-wide type 2 diabetes cases projected to double by 2030^[8], the study suggests unprocessed honey can serve as a safer alternative where excess sucrose consumption remains understandably implicated in the diabetes and obesity epidemic^[9,10]. Certainly research must continue investigating optimal intakes, but for now, drizzling honey rather than sugar over morning's tea or yogurt appears the healthier mixer.

For a more in-depth exploration of this topic, read the article by our founder:  Why You Should Ditch Sugar In Favor of Honey.

Learn more about the wide ranging health benefits of honey by consulting our database on the subject here.