The product of honey bees, honey is collected from plant leaves, flowers, or needles and processed by bees in hives. Not only does it taste delicious, but it also has certain amounts of vitamins, minerals, and helpful enzymes.
It is therefore frequently used as part of at-home skin care routines and during infections, colds, and respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses. The names of the plants from which these beneficial insects harvest honey vary; some examples are lime honey, buckwheat honey, and rapeseed honey. But not everyone ought to eat honey unrestrictedly. Do diabetics safely consume honey?
Ancient people utilized honey for its medicinal qualities as well as its distinct flavor. Many people believe that honey can be used to treat a wide range of illnesses, and they utilize it as a substance to support their health. It has long been thought that honey aids in the treatment of respiratory conditions; it acts as a natural antibiotic for asthma, among other things, but most importantly, it greatly boosts immunity.
People still assert today that this substance strengthens and regenerates the body, making it beneficial for convalescents, among other uses.
In this way, it might be said that honey has numerous advantages for diabetics as well, which is why many of them seek it out in the first place. Not insignificantly, honey is thought to be a great alternative to sugar. When it comes to sugar, honey is unquestionably a superior option for diabetics. But there are a few things to keep in mind.
honey that promotes health in diabetics as well.
Since ancient times, honey has been utilized in complementary medicine. When you have a cold, many people like to drink honey water with lemon and honey. Honey’s abundance of polyphenols and enzymes gives it antibacterial, antioxidant, and inflammatory-inhibiting properties. Many diabetics may find it useful to know that honey also reduces blood pressure.
Diabetic neuropathy is one reason why wound healing occurs very slowly in advanced diabetes.
Consequently, it seems that a material like honey would make an excellent natural remedy. Honey is being studied scientifically for its potential as a wound-healing agent.
Applying honey causes the ulceration to become smaller and less painful, and it also speeds up the healing process. Additionally, researchers note that there is a stimulating influence on cell division. Furthermore, it is unknown what adverse effects such a treatment would have.
Naturally, it should be kept in mind that honey intended for medicinal purposes needs to be kept cold and dark, not heated, in order to retain its characteristics.
Is honey edible for diabetics?
Honey is 70–80% carbs and 10–20% water. Proteins, phenols, vitamins, and organic acids make up the remaining trace elements in honey. Given the high concentration of carbs (mostly fructose and glucose), one may wonder if honey is safe for diabetics to consume. After all, honey lacks fiber and complex carbs, which are the two key components of their diet.
Honey has been shown to have potent antibacterial properties. As such, it works well for treating bronchitis, pneumonia, flu, and colds.
Moreover, honey’s antibacterial properties include the elimination of streptococcus, staphylococcus, and candida. It may also have a therapeutic impact and lower the chance of getting the previously listed illnesses.
Additionally, honey inhibits the development of inflammation.
Honey is good for the neurological system and cardiovascular system (check out honey for heart and hypertension!). It relieves symptoms of insomnia, stress, and neurosis. Additionally, it counteracts oedema by having a diuretic action. As you can see, honey has many positive health impacts. What about diabetes and honey? According to studies, there are situations in which linden honey, one form of honey, can be used to treat diabetes. This does not, however, apply to diabetes type II that is insulin-dependent.
What is the glycemic index of honey?
Diabetes and bee honey are two seemingly unrelated problems. Products high in sugar content and with a high glycemic index should be avoided by diabetics. Of course, one of these is honey. But be careful—not all honey is created equal. Its makeup varies a bit depending on where it comes from. Moreover, the makeup of carbs. Furthermore, honey is safer for diabetics if it contains more fructose and less glucose.
As a result, research has indicated that the glycemic index of honey can vary greatly, ranging from low to medium to high depending on the type and method used. Unfortunately, this product does not qualify as honey for diabetics due to its medium to high glycemic index.
Due to their high glycemic index of 60–90, varieties including multi-flower, forest, or canola are not advised for use in honey production. Honey is supposed to have an average glycemic index of 55, but sadly, a lot of honey jars have a significantly higher index. For this reason, it’s important to know exactly which honey is suitable for diabetics.
GI = 55
The qualities of honey
A naturally delicious material, honey is made by bees from nectar, secretions from living plant parts, or by insects sucking on plant parts. It is collected by bees, processed by mixing ingredients from the bees, then placed, dried, collected, and allowed to develop in honeycombs.
About 70–80% of it is made up of simple carbs, namely fructose and glucose. Ten to twenty percent of it is water. It has therapeutic and nutritional qualities. Among other things, the following are some of the factors that determine its desirable properties:
- natural acids,
- amino acids,
- polyphenols,
- enzymes,
- vitamins,
- salts of minerals.
Honey’s many bioactive ingredients dictate its application. Its antimicrobial qualities are its main benefit. It also possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has varying degrees of diaphoretic, expectorant, and antipyretic qualities according on the species. Additionally, it has a mild diuretic effect. It is occasionally used to treat digestive tract illnesses, prevent cardiovascular diseases, and provide supportive care for certain nervous system ailments.
It is also important to note that it stimulates the immune system. Honey is generally regarded as a beneficial food component that, when utilized sparingly, can support the maintenance and enhancement of health. But there are certain restrictions on how it can be used. Among these are known glycemic problems. Therefore, honey and diabetes may not be a good combination for a menu item.
Which type of honey is OK for someone with diabetes?
As previously indicated, honey is safe for diabetics—that is, of course, provided we are talking about type II diabetes, which is more or less controlled. Which honey would you pick for a diabetic in that situation? As previously mentioned, linden honey has a high fructose content, making it suitable for usage by those with diabetes. Heather honey is another type of honey that is healthy for diabetics.
Its high fructose content also contributes to a lower glycemic index. Acacia honey is also suggested for diabetics with moderate signs of the condition. Fructose content is similarly high in acacia honey. Contrary to popular belief, diabetes and buckwheat honey might also be “compatible” with one another.
According to scientific evidence, buckwheat honey is safe to use in people with type II diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes. As long as, naturally, one does not overindulge and eats it with foods that have a low glycemic index or that slow the blood’s absorption of glucose from the intestines.
These goods include nuts, which are exceptionally high in fat, and dairy products, which are high in both fat and protein. One last fascinating fact regarding honey and diabetes is worth sharing. Well, although some individuals may not benefit from oral honey administration for diabetes, honey compresses may be beneficial for those with foot ulcers, also known as diabetic foot.
Empirical studies and practical application have demonstrated that the application of honey externally on ulcers first alleviates inflammation and eliminates odor, followed by a progressive regeneration and healing of the wound. According to the study, regular application of sterile gauze and honey compresses for a period of six weeks was sufficient to completely eliminate the ulcers linked to diabetic foot. Published in the scientific press in early 2020, the findings mentioned above are considered relatively recent reports.
Not just eating honey can be beneficial!
Not only is it important to consume honey, it’s also important to use it externally. Given that honey has both nutritious and antimicrobial qualities, a lot of people think diabetics can gain a lot from this. It is used by some diabetics for their diabetic foot.
Necrosis of the tissues and blood vessels in this illness can potentially result in amputation if ignored. Even in cases when medication is ineffective, lubricating the affected areas can prevent this because honey is a natural cure that does not contain conventional antibiotics. Therefore, it’s worthwhile to try this remedy as it might be helpful and won’t hurt anything.
Read Also: How Much Dark Chocolate Is Allowed in a Diabetic’s Diet?
In conclusion
Honey should only be used in moderation by diabetics. Since every situation is unique, it is also important to take particular factors into account. Additionally, even though you enjoy honey, you should exercise common sense and avoid using it in huge amounts. It’s also crucial to stick to full-flavored honey that you purchase from reliable sources.
It’s also a good idea to keep a jar of honey on hand at all times so you can rapidly treat hypoglycemia in yourself. This is something to remember, particularly for those who frequently experience sugar drops.
Be the first to comment on "Is Honey Safe to Eat for Pre-Diabetics?"