A new study shows that two tablespoons of honey can help balance blood sugar levels and improve cholesterol levels.
Experts say that replacing additional sweeteners in the diet, such as sugar in tea, with honey increases the risk of diseases associated with excessive sugar intake, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. said to be able to reduce
Researchers at the University of Toronto analyzed the results of 18 trials involving more than 1,100 participants and found that raw honey from a single flower source had the most positive effects on the body.
They found that it lowered fasting blood sugar and the number of low-density lipoproteins (or “bad cholesterol”) in the blood.
Consuming honey also increased high-density lipoprotein (the “good” cholesterol), and showed signs of improvement in inflammation.
All participants in this study had a generally healthy diet, with sugar making up less than 10% of their daily caloric intake.
The study found that honey from a single flower source “consistently produced either neutral or beneficial effects” on the body.
Participants were given an average of 40 grams, or two tablespoons, of honey daily for eight weeks.
Most of the benefits were observed in people who consumed raw honey from the black locust or black locust trees.
However, honey lost many of its health benefits when heated above 65 degrees Celsius.
Tausef Khan, a senior research fellow at the university’s medical school, said: Said The results were surprising because honey is “about 80% sugar”.
“But honey is also a complex composition of common and rare sugars, proteins, organic acids, and other bioactive compounds that are very likely to have health benefits,” Khan said.
Experts say the results show that health and nutrition officials shouldn’t treat all sugars the same.
“If you’re currently avoiding sugar, I’m not saying you should start eating honey,” Khan said. If so, switching those sugars to honey may reduce cardiometabolic risk.”
