Is Honey Good For Diabetes?

Honey is an organically occurring sweetener humans have used as food and medicine for at least 8000 years, according to a 2013 review in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Assyrians, and Chinese used honey to heal wounds and gut problems. Traditional medicine uses honey to treat ulcers, eye problems, skin conditions, and constipation. Mayo Clinic categorizes these conditions as potential complications associated with diabetes complications. But is honey good for diabetes?

Some evidence, revealed in a 2017 clinical review in Pharmacognosy Research, suggests honey may be useful for controlling and treating diabetes mellitus. But some experts, including Dr. Regina Castro at Mayo Clinic, don't see any advantages to using honey over sugar. However, honey and processed refined sugar are not equally as healthy (or unhealthy). Although they both affect blood sugar levels, each affects blood sugar differently (per Medical News Today). So which one should you use?

In separate studies, as reported by Diet vs. Disease, honey impacted blood sugar levels less than regular sugar for subjects with type 2 and type 1 diabetes. In one study, researchers compared the effects of honey against glucose and sucrose (table sugar) on people with type 2 diabetes. All three sweeteners spiked blood sugar levels, and honey caused a greater initial spike than glucose or sucrose. Still, blood sugar levels dropped lower with honey than with the other sugars and stayed lower. Another study found honey impacted blood sugar less than glucose and sucrose in people with type 1 diabetes.

Other studies evaluated the impact of adding honey to a diabetic diet rather than using it as a replacement for sugar. A 12-week study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found supplementing with honey improved short-term blood sugar levels in subjects with type 1 diabetes. However, Diet vs. Disease notes another 8-week study found adding honey increased long-term blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes.

Honey contains beneficial nutrients that sugar does not, including vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and zinc. But WebMD cautions that a tablespoon of honey also contains 64 calories, including 17 grams of carbohydrates and 17 grams of sugars. More research is needed to determine whether honey's benefits outweigh the risks for diabetics. For now, experts suggest people with diabetes may replace sugar with honey, but should use it in moderation. And, since honey is sweeter than sugar, according to Medical News Today, you may be able to use less of it to get the same tasty results. Mayo Clinic's Castro advises, "If you prefer the taste of honey, go ahead and use it. But only use honey in moderation. Be sure to count the carbohydrates in honey as part of your diabetes eating plan."

More research is needed to determine whether honey's benefits outweigh the risks for diabetics. For now, experts suggest people with diabetes may replace sugar with honey, but should use it in moderation. And, since honey is sweeter than sugar, according to Medical News Today, you may be able to use less of it to get the same tasty results. Mayo Clinic's Castro advises, "If you prefer the taste of honey, go ahead and use it. But only use honey in moderation. Be sure to count the carbohydrates in honey as part of your diabetes eating plan."