Yes, honey does spike blood sugar because it's a sugar, but it generally causes a slower, gentler rise than refined white sugar due to its lower Glycemic Index (GI) and complex composition, though moderation and type of honey (like Manuka, Acacia for lower GI) are key, especially for diabetics. Consuming small amounts, pairing with fiber, and tracking intake are important for managing blood sugar impact.
The plasma glucose levels in response to honey peaked at 30–60 minutes and showed a rapid decline as compared to that of glucose. Significantly, the high degree of tolerance to honey was recorded in subjects with diabetes as well, indicating a lower glycemic index of honey.
According to new research, honey – especially Robinia, clover and unprocessed raw honey – can improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels. “There may be benefits of adding honey and natural sweeteners to your already healthy diet,” says Taimur Habib, MD, a Fairfield internist.
Honey is a natural sweetener packed with antioxidants and prebiotics that support overall health. Eating it regularly may boost digestion, improve energy, ease coughs, and help fight infections. While it has a low glycemic index, people with diabetes should still enjoy honey in moderation.
Drink more water
“Water helps your kidneys filter out excess sugar through urine,” says Khan. “So, the more hydrated you are, the more urine production you'll have, which flushes out sugar in the body.” Always opt for water instead of sugary drinks, like soda and juice.
Generally speaking, yes, people with diabetes can eat honey. But you should consume it in moderation. Although honey has a lower glycemic index (GI) than table sugar, it's still a sugar. And any type of sugar will raise your blood glucose.
Try one the following healthful snacks before bed to help manage blood sugar levels and satisfy nighttime hunger:
However, honey itself is another form of sugar, and it should be consumed only in moderation, experts say. Studies show added sugars can be empty calories that increase the risk for obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and cavities.
Babies younger than 1 year old should not be given honey. That's because a type of bacteria (called Clostridium) that causes infant botulism can be found in honey.
Honey is a natural sweetener known for its health benefits but should not be mixed with certain foods as per Ayurveda. Avoid combining honey with hot water, garlic, cucumber, ghee, meat, fish, and hot milk to prevent digestive issues and the loss of its beneficial properties.
How to incorporate more honey into your diet
To mitigate these effects, experts recommend turning off blue light sources well before bedtime. Avoiding these devices for two to three hours before bed is ideal. Keep your bedroom dark throughout the night too, using dim red night lights if necessary to protect the quality of your sleep.
Gosha-jinki-gan (GJK), consisting of 10 herbs, has been widely used for a regimen of diabetic complications, including neuropathy, in Japan.
According to its proponents, you use the pinch method by holding the thumb and index finger of one hand just above the wrist of the other hand and then exerting a little bit of pressure on the wrist. Doing this will supposedly cause the release of insulin and break down glucose.
The initial blood sugar spike measured at 30 minutes was greater from honey than from glucose. However, blood sugar levels in the honey group then dropped lower than sucrose, and remained lower for the next two hours (3). Honey was also seen to cause a greater rise in insulin than from sucrose.
Diabetics can freely enjoy non-starchy vegetables (leafy greens, broccoli, peppers), lean proteins (fish, chicken, beans, tofu), healthy fats (avocado, nuts, olive oil), and some fruits (berries, apples, citrus) and whole grains (quinoa, oats) in moderation, focusing on whole foods, fiber, and portion control to manage blood sugar. Key is balancing meals around non-starchy veggies, choosing low-GI carbs, and limiting added sugars and refined grains.
"Honey's advantages over sugar include a slightly lower glycemic index (i.e. it doesn't affect your blood-sugar levels as much)," Dr. Dixon says. 9 "It also contains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, such as calcium, potassium, vitamin C, zinc, phenolic acids, and flavonoids."
Golden Thread. Golden Thread is commonly used to treat diabetes in China. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloids and the active ingredient of Golden Thread. Berberine had a significant antihyperglycemic effect in both 36 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM and also in 48 poorly controlled patients with T2DM [23].
Turmeric, mostly at doses of 500–1000 mg per day, might help reduce pain levels and inflammation. Cinnamon, on the other hand, has been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels.
Sweden comes out top with 936 of a maximum 1000 points, followed by the Netherlands (922), Denmark (863), UK (812) and Switzerland (799).
Dawn phenomenon happens when hormones your body naturally makes in the early morning increase your blood sugar. Dawn phenomenon only affects people with diabetes. It's a common cause of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in the morning.
The “three-hour rule” for rapid-acting insulin (aka "Insulin Stacking") Rapid-acting insulin begins to work about 15 minutes after injection, peaks in about 1 hour, and continues to work for 2 to 4 hours. The three-hour rule prevents “insulin stacking” and a low blood glucose (BG) or hypoglycemia.
8 Simple Snacks That Won't Spike Your Blood Sugar
Do not refrigerate honey. Keeping your honey in the refrigerator preserves it but the cool temperatures will cause your honey to form a semi-solid mass, so this method of storage is not recommended.
Added sugars, such as honey, cane sugar, brown sugar and high fructose corn syrup consumed in large amounts can lead to weight gain, blood sugar spikes and an increased risk of conditions like Type 2 diabetes. It's recommended to limit your added sugar intake to no more than 50 grams per day.