What is the best honey for diabetics?
Perhaps the most correct question here is whether a diabetic patient can eat honey at all or not?
In this detailed guide, let us share with you the most important findings of scientific studies on the use of honey for diabetics.
So if you need some reliable medical information let us share this information with you in this guide in detail.
Now let's talk frankly...
Can a diabetic eat honey?
In one study that was conducted on a group of diabetics for 8 weeks, the participants were divided into two groups... a group that consumed honey daily and another group that did not.
The results of this study were an improvement in the rate of fat metabolism and an improvement in blood cholesterol and triglycerides, but medical tests indicated an increase in both HBA1C and HBA1C.
Therefore, honey can certainly be consumed by a diabetic patient, but it must be treated like table sugar and consumed very carefully while monitoring your blood sugar readings.
Does honey affect blood sugar levels?
According to the US Department of Agriculture, every 100 grams of honey contains approximately 82 grams of carbohydrates, represented by glucose and fructose.
But what concerns us here is glucose because it is the component that fluctuates in the blood and needs insulin to get it into the cells.
Every 100 grams of honey contains approximately 40 grams of glucose, which is not a small amount.
So the answer is definitely yes, honey affects the blood sugar level and causes it to rise.
But because it has a lower glycemic index , its effect may be somewhat less than other sweeteners (table sugar).
The best honey for diabetics
In general we have 3 types of honey:
- Raw: without any processing.
- Processed: Some improvement or pasteurization processes are performed on it in order to eliminate some types of bacteria.
- Adulterated: Here you will find many adulteration methods that we have already talked about, but in general here some external sugars or water can be added to the honey in order to reduce the cost.
The best honey for diabetics, and anyone, is raw, unprocessed honey.
The fewer stages of honey production, the better in order to preserve the components that honey contains and the benefits it provides.
There are hundreds of brands in the market that sell honey. Choose only those brands that are reliable and have undergone quality tests for their products and buy from them.
Note: The source of honey, let's say sidr honey, black forest honey, clover honey, etc., all of them have an approximately equal effect on the blood sugar level. Therefore, we cannot nominate one honey and beware of the other. Even if everyone recommends Manuka honey.
Benefits of eating honey for diabetics
In research examining the effect of honey on type 2 diabetes, honey was pointed out as a potential treatment with a promising future.
The study indicated the role of honey as an ingredient in improving some complications of type 2 diabetes.
But the research ultimately indicated that we need more long-term studies in order to judge with certainty the benefits of eating honey for diabetics.
Now let us learn about the most important benefits that honey offers:
1- It may increase insulin secretion
Once glucose enters the bloodstream, the pancreas is stimulated to secrete the hormone insulin, which helps bring this glucose into the cells to benefit from it.
Therefore, it is logical that honey, which contains approximately half of it glucose, causes an increase in insulin levels.
But we will certainly not find increased insulin levels in type 1 diabetics who already suffer from a lack of insulin secretion.
In a previous study, this effect of honey was found on patients with type 2 diabetes , who suffer from a lack of cell sensitivity to insulin and have no problem with insulin secretion.
2- It may increase the rate of C-peptide
C-peptide is a protein resulting from the conversion of proinsulin into insulin.
This means that this protein is an indicator of insulin production by the body.
In a study of 80 people , 50 of whom already had type 1 diabetes, scientists found a significant increase in the amount of c-peptide after consuming honey.
In another study , the results indicated honey as one of the solutions that contribute to raising the rate of c-peptide when measured two hours after eating.
This is considered a preliminary indication of the role of honey in increasing insulin production in the body.
3- It may contribute to reducing cholesterol levels
In a review of approximately 7 studies conducted on approximately 370 people suffering from high levels of cholesterol and fats, it was found that consuming honey in small quantities may contribute to reducing the level of blood cholesterol and controlling glucose levels by a small percentage.
In another research compiled by a group of researchers at the University of Toronto, they shared some important results that suggest honey as a substance that helps reduce cholesterol and control blood sugar levels.
4- Rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants are one of the substances that protect cells from damage caused by attack by harmful molecules.
These harmful molecules are known as free radicals.
These molecules become large in number in the body as a result of the increase in sugar content in the body, which causes what is known as oxidative stress.
In this current situation, which is widespread among diabetics, the number of antioxidants in the body becomes insufficient to fight these harmful molecules.
These harmful molecules begin to attack the cells and cause a huge number of health problems.
These health problems range from:
- Heart disease.
- Kidney disease.
- Cancers of all kinds.
- Signs of aging.
- Alzheimer's, and other nervous system diseases.
Therefore, it is recommended to eat honey in small quantities for diabetics to obtain some of these antioxidants, which studies have found to actually protect against oxidative stress and its complications.
But again, you must determine the appropriate amount to take after talking to your doctor.
Do not forget to monitor your blood glucose level daily when eating honey so as not to cause it to rise significantly.
5- A good anti-inflammatory
Very few studies talk about this benefit, but nevertheless I will mention it to you.
Honey has some anti-inflammatory properties.
These properties may be a good benefit for diabetics, especially type 2.
Inflammation may lead to poor response of cells in all areas of the body to insulin.
This is a problem that type 2 diabetes patients already suffer from.
So...
Perhaps eating a very small spoonful of honey can help you increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin.
Now let's move on to find out...
The dangers of eating honey for diabetics
All the risks or harms of honey for diabetics are its effect on the blood sugar level and causing it to increase.
Therefore, in order to avoid this problem, you must constantly monitor your blood sugar levels in order to determine the appropriate amount of honey to consume for you.
If your blood glucose levels are irregular, it is preferable to stop eating honey in the first place.
Another problem that you need to pay attention to is infant botulism, which we have already talked about.
This problem is entirely caused by babies under 12 months eating honey.
These babies do not have a mature digestive or immune system yet, so because raw honey contains some beneficial bacteria, these bacteria may cause this problem for infants.
Hence, you should avoid offering honey to infants.
Can sugar be replaced with honey?
In terms of the benefits and components that honey contains, including minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and natural sugars, honey is definitely a better alternative than sugar.
But honey still contains a large amount of sugars, which cause an increase in both blood glucose levels and also affect the percentage of cumulative sugar in the cell.
Therefore, if you decide to replace sugar with honey, you must constantly monitor your blood glucose levels in order to avoid a sudden increase in your glucose levels.
It is also important that you use small amounts that do not cause any problems for you.
In the end, do not always forget to consult your doctor and do periodic tests in order to reassure yourself.
Final tips
Still looking for the best honey for diabetics?
We hope you found the answer you were looking for...
Here our advice is to avoid eating honey in large quantities due to the high sugar content it contains.
But if you intend to eat honey, all you have to do is look for a reliable source from which you can buy raw honey that does not include any added sugars.
With this, we have finished this guide.
We hope you found what you were looking for.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.