Honey's Effect on Blood Sugar in Individuals with Diabetes
Honey should be avoided or minimized in people with diabetes as it contains carbohydrates that can raise blood glucose levels and should be treated as a nutritive sweetener similar to table sugar. 1, 2
Impact on Blood Glucose
- Honey is a nutritive sweetener containing calories from carbohydrates (primarily glucose and fructose) that can affect blood glucose levels in diabetic patients 2
- While some research suggests honey may produce a lower glycemic response compared to pure glucose or sucrose 3, 4, 5, the American Diabetes Association still classifies honey alongside other nutritive sweeteners (like sugar and agave syrup) that should be minimized 1
- For diabetic patients, the total amount of carbohydrate in meals and snacks is more important than the source or type of carbohydrate 1
Recommendations for Diabetic Patients
- People with diabetes should minimize consumption of foods with added sugars, including honey, as they can displace healthier, more nutrient-dense food choices 2
- Blood glucose monitoring should be increased when introducing honey to observe individual glycemic responses 2
- Honey should not be used to treat hypoglycemia, as glucose is the preferred treatment for hypoglycemia due to its faster and more predictable effect 1
- The carbohydrate content of honey must be accounted for in meal planning for diabetic patients using carbohydrate counting 2
Alternative Options
- Nonnutritive sweeteners (containing few or no calories) may be a more appropriate alternative to honey for people with diabetes who desire sweetness 1, 2
- Nonnutritive sweeteners can potentially reduce overall calorie and carbohydrate intake if substituted for caloric sweeteners like honey 1
- However, even with nonnutritive sweeteners, patients should be encouraged to decrease both sweetened and nonnutritive-sweetened beverages, with emphasis on water intake 1, 2
Special Considerations
- Patients using insulin or insulin secretagogues should be particularly cautious with honey consumption due to unpredictable glucose responses 2
- Some research suggests potential benefits of honey on metabolic parameters in experimental settings, including improved lipid metabolism and antioxidant effects 6, 7, but these benefits don't outweigh the risk of hyperglycemia in clinical practice
- Individual glycemic responses to honey may vary, so personalized monitoring is essential if a patient chooses to consume honey 2
Clinical Approach
- Focus on an overall healthy eating pattern rather than individual foods like honey 2
- Prioritize nutrient-dense carbohydrate sources that are high in fiber and minimally processed 2
- If patients insist on using honey, advise them to use it in very small amounts and to carefully monitor blood glucose levels 2
- Educate patients that while some studies show honey may have a lower glycemic index than pure glucose 4, 5, it still contains carbohydrates that will raise blood sugar levels 2