As you may remember from past articles about honey in this newsletter, honey functions differently in the body than regular sugar, and we mentioned previously how honey is the only sugar that improves your oral biome (increases good bacteria, decreases bad bacteria), whereas regular sugar feeds bad bacteria and harms your teeth and gums.
HONEY—unlike regular sugar—is a natural, bioactive substance chock full of anti-inflammatory substances, flavonoids, and polyphenols that are high-powered antioxidants.
Honey has been consumed for thousands of years by primitive hunter-gatherer groups who enjoy its health benefits. Even today, some primitive tribes, like the Hadza, consume large amounts of this golden sweetener and are considered super healthy, lean, and fit.
Let’s dig in to some of the latest research on honey, health, and diabetes…
In one study I reviewed, study subjects were fed honey or regular sugar for 52 weeks. The long-term honey feeding decreased levels of HbA1c levels and increased HDL cholesterol (the protective type).
Another study showed that a diet that contained honey showed a significant decrease in triglycerides, leptins, body weight, and body fat. And still other studies showed that consuming small amounts of honey increased the effectiveness of diabetes medications.
Natural Honey and Blood Sugar–the Results are in…
In a Journal of Medicinal Food study, researchers found natural honey lowers blood glucose levels in healthy, diabetic, and hyperlipidemic individuals. In the diabetic group, honey caused a significantly lower rise in blood sugar than other types of sugar.
This study also showed that honey helped to increase natural levels of insulin, which helps remove glucose from the blood.
Honey and Cholesterol Looks Pretty Sweet
One other study showed honey had a positive effect on cholesterol, and lowered C-reactive protein and homocysteine—both inflammatory markers for heart disease. Honey’s powerful antioxidant properties have a lot to do with its positive effect on those with diabetes.
Is Honey a Health Food?
Although honey does contain natural sugars, honey is a REAL food with LOADS of powerful nutrients in it.
Honey contains over a hundred different beneficial compounds including minerals, amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. You can definitely say honey is MORE than just sugar–it is actually a health food!
Honey Heals
One other great fact about honey: Honey has powerful antibacterial properties and is known to help heal wounds and infections. Honey has been shown to be effective against several antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Honey also inhibits the growth of H. pylori, the bacteria that causes ulcers.
Honey for Diabetics
Bottom line is, yes you can have honey if you are diabetic. Although honey can raise blood sugar slightly and temporarily, it also improves insulin sensitivity, lowers cholesterol, helps with weight management, healthy Thyroid levels, and lowers inflammation.
Always consume RAW, unfiltered, natural honey. If you can find local honey, it’s even better.
Always AVOID the conventional honey that comes in the little plastic bears (or anything not labeled raw), as often this is ‘fake’ honey from countries like China, and may be nothing more than sugar syrup or corn syrup with honey flavorings.
Speaking of unique ways to control your blood sugars, check this out…
Chocolate and Butter for Diabetes? (Plus Why You Should AVOID Metformin)…
Your doctor will call you a “model” patient for this…
Researchers have found a hidden blood sugar “switch” inside your body that controls your blood sugar level.
In fact, a recent study shows that a whopping 95.2% of the participants who flipped ON this switch achieved “near-perfect” blood sugar within days.
They also lost 24.4 lbs on average!
Some experts believe this breakthrough could make drugs like metformin completely obsolete.
And the best part is, you can do it yourself at home for less than 60 seconds a day.
If you’re looking for a safe, natural alternative to prescriptions for controlling your blood sugar…
