You only tell yourself that honey is not sugar so that you don’t feel guilty

Sugar is dangerous to the human body in excessive amounts. We probably all know that. Many people therefore replace this ingredient with honey in some dishes. However, few people realise that it is also harmful to a greater extent and that its consumption has certain risks. What are they?

Honey is healthy, nutritious and does not do as much harm as sugar. These are the things that most people believe. And in general, it’s certainly true that honey is healthier than sugar, and switching them can help a healthy person in many ways. However, that doesn’t mean that you can consume honey in unlimited amounts or that it has no negative effects on the body.

Calories and composition

Honey is a caloric ingredient, even more so than sugar. Roughly 100 grams of honey has approximately 325 calories. One teaspoon, about 12 grams, has about 40. The same amount of sugar has only about 20 calories. However, the ingredients are different. Honey contains moisture, which adds to the calories and flavour, while sugar is virtually pure sucrose.

The conclusion, therefore, is that honey does contain some nutrients, but it is certainly not less calorific than sugar. If we sweeten our tea with it, we are providing our bodies with some healthy things, but we need to think about not overdoing it with this sweetener either.

Glycaemic index and impact on blood sugar

Both sugar itself and honey have a relatively high glycaemic index. However, honey has a much lower glycaemic index, meaning that honey raises blood sugar levels more slowly. Many people believe that honey is good for diabetics and does not harm them. This is not true. It is possible to sweeten with honey if you have diabetes, however, you need to consult a doctor and control the situation.

WebMD states that if diabetes is well controlled, honey can be tolerated. However, keep in mind that it still contains both glucose and fructose. Blood sugar levels should be monitored with regard to insulin doses.

Health risks of honey

Honey has a variety of health benefits. These include its high antioxidant content, healing and anti-inflammatory properties, and support for immunity and digestion. It is definitely a food that is healthy and worth including in your diet. However, there are also risks associated with its consumption.

Honey is not safe for children under 12 months. It contains the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which is found in botulinum toxin. This is dangerous to the body even in minimal quantities, but in young children the presence of these bacteria in the blood is enough to cause serious health problems.

Last but not least, repeated high consumption of honey leads to weight gain and the health problems associated with this complication. So it is okay to tell yourself that honey is not sugar, that sweetening with honey is healthier. But certainly don’t take it to mean that consuming it in large quantities is perfectly fine.