Children: Honey is likely safe when taken by mouth in children who are at least one year old. Honey is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth by children less than 12 months old. Do not use honey in infants under 12 months old. Botulism poisoning is a risk at this age.
Avoid giving honey — even a tiny taste — to babies under the age of 1 year. Honey can cause a rare but serious gastrointestinal condition (infant botulism) caused by exposure to Clostridium botulinum spores. Bacteria from the spores can grow and multiply in a baby's intestines, producing a dangerous toxin.
Usually the doctors recommend honey to be taken empty stomach early in the morning as it gives an instant kick and energy boost which is enough to counter an entire day. Also, while going to bed, a spoonful of honey not only gives a good night's sleep but also helps in digestion and relaxation of mind and body.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Honey might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking honey along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of these medications.
Honey is also rich in magnesium, potassium, antioxidants, and other useful minerals. However, it may increase the blood sugar and lead to weight gain, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, do not consume sugary foods or beverages after consuming honey.
It's high in antioxidants, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, which may support better health. Small studies in humans show honey's antioxidants could help improve cholesterol levels, which could help decrease the risk for heart disease, although larger long-term studies are needed to confirm those findings.
Honey helps sleep better
This is because honey contains tryptophan which is a hormone that helps relax and send sleep signals to the body. Because tryptophan is an essential amino acid but cannot be produced naturally in the body, supplementing through honey before bed brings many benefits to the body.
Honey helps your brain release melatonin, the hormone that your body uses to restore itself during sleep. This happens through a series of transformations in your brain: honey's sugars spike your insulin levels, releasing tryptophan, which becomes serotonin, which becomes melatonin.
Additionally, honey may promote melatonin formation due to its possible tryptophan content (a precursor to melatonin) that both helps to initiate sleep as well as promote release of hormones that facilitate whole body recovery during sleep.
It has anti-inflammatory properties
Luckily for you, honey is rich in antioxidants, which have been proven to help fight and prevent inflammation.
The recommendation for a healthy person, without weight problems, and who does not base his diet on an excessive consumption of sugars would be to take a maximum of one small spoon of honey a day. This is approximately 10 to 12 grams of honey.
Also, keep in mind that honey is a type of sugar, so consuming it will cause your blood sugar levels to rise ( 20 , 21 ). Plus, eating large quantities of honey, especially consistently over a long period, can contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes or heart disease.
Honey has a long history of use for the treatment of digestive ailments. Certain honey types have well-established bioactive properties including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.
A doctor often advises taking honey on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. That's so because it offers you an immediate energy boost that will last the entire day. Also, a tablespoon of honey before bed not only promotes restful sleep, but also aids in digestion and body and mind relaxation, says Dr Pathania.
Most human foods fall into a pH range of about 2 to 7, but this presents no challenge to the human stomach which averages a pH of about 1.5 to 2. The acidity of honey is very close to that of the more acidic fruits.
Have a teaspoon of honey while you get cosy in your blanket. Honey stimulates the production of tryptophan and at the same time inhibits the activity of orexin that keeps you alert.
Breus, Ph. D., also known as "The Sleep Doctor," a teaspoon of raw honey about 30 minutes before bed can keep you full, thereby enhancing your snooze.
“Honey should be treated like all added sugars, something to include in your diet carefully and kept to a minimum,” Keating says. The American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than nine teaspoons (36 grams) per day; women and children, no more than six teaspoons (24 grams) daily.
Potential Liver Benefits Honey has been associated with improved liver health and a reduced risk of liver disease. Blood Sugar Control – In certain individuals, honey may help promote better blood sugar control – which is desirable for those in danger of fatty liver disease.
You can take the honey any time of day, or try taking your manuka honey once in the morning and once at night. There's no harm in consuming more than 2 to 4 teaspoons (10 to 20 mL) of manuka honey daily, but since honey is mostly sugar, it is a good idea to moderate how much you consume.
The toxic effects of honey poisoning are bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, sweating, salivation, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, fainting, blurred vision, chills, and cyanosis.
Studies in rats showed that honey does have a modest effect on lowering blood pressure, but studies in humans have not shown a consistent, significant drop in blood pressure. One study used 20 grams, about 1 tablespoon, daily.
Honey has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 6%, triglyceride levels by 11%, and potentially boost HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Cinnamon, in turn, has been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels.