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Every year in the UK, the week commencing the second Monday in June marks Diabetes Week, a national event that highlights the challenges faced by individuals with diabetes and raises awareness around some things that might help. From regular health checks to better managing the illness, Diabetes Week is a week to “make some noise, raise awareness and shout about the things that matter to people with diabetes.”
With that in mind, we’re taking a look at the health implications of consuming honey and, importantly, whether this natural sweetener could be a healthy alternative for those living with diabetes. So, let’s start at the beginning.
Diabetes is a disease characterised by high blood glucose (also known as blood sugar) levels. In a healthy body, insulin–a hormone made by the pancreas–helps to transport glucose into cells to be used for energy. However, if you have diabetes, your body may not make enough insulin, or it may not use it correctly. This causes glucose to remain in the blood rather than being absorbed into other cells.
This can increase the risk of damage to various organs, including the eyes (diabetic retinopathy), kidneys, and the heart. It can also be associated with nerve damage and some types of cancer. There are three types of diabetes:
Being diagnosed with any type of diabetes can have a significant impact on your everyday life. People with diabetes have to be proactive in managing their blood glucose levels through diet, exercise, and medication. Furthermore, it is necessary to attend regular check-ups to ensure the disease is under control.
These check-ups - sometimes called a yearly or annual review - involve a number of health checks, including:
A diabetes diet focuses on maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. This typically involves eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins while limiting certain foods, such as processed and high-salt and sugar foods.
Honey is a natural product created by bees from the nectar of flowering plants. In addition to being a food source for the bees that process it, humans have been using honey for a variety of nutritional and medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
Honey has been found to possess a number of therapeutic benefits. It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which led to its use in wound dressing throughout history; it is often taken as a home remedy for colds and coughs; and some studies suggest that it may even benefit brain function. But can honey be a diabetes-friendly alternative to sugar?
When it comes to diabetes management, some evidence suggests that honey may be a healthier alternative to sugar due to its lower glycemic index and potential ability to help control blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
For example, one study, conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto, found that honey (especially raw honey from a single floral source) “reduced fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting triglycerides, and alanine aminotransferase and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol”, leading researchers to suggest it may be a healthier alternative to table sugar or syrup.
Of course, if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to speak to your healthcare specialist before making any changes to your diet. Nonetheless, the evidence is promising.
Some evidence also indicates that CBD - a natural derivative of the hemp plant - may also be beneficial in lowering blood sugar levels; however, more research is needed to fully understand this potential.
If you’d like to discover the benefits of honey and CBD, browse Honey Heaven’s full range today, from our classic Organic Natural Honey and Organic Honey with CBD to our Acacia Honey and CBD Oils!
