Honey is often used by many people to sweeten their food and drinks and make it a substitute for sugar. Given the sweet taste of honey, we may wonder whether honey is safe for consumption by diabetics? People who suffer from diabetes should be able to control and regulate their sugar and calorie intake, but that doesn’t mean they have to completely eliminate sweetness from their life. Know the safety of pure honey for diabetics and its effects if consumed on a regular basis along with other types of food.

Sugar Content in Honey

As we know, honey is a golden liquid with a thick and sticky texture that is produced by bees and comes from the nectar in flowers.

Nectar itself consists of sucrose which is a kind of sugar, water, and other substances. Honey is produced by bees by processing nectar with swallowing repeatedly, in purpose to remove the water content of  the nectar.

Although it is a natural sweetener, honey turns out to contain higher energy and calories than granulated sugar where one tablespoon of raw honey contains about 60 calories and 17 grams of carbohydrates.

How Can Honey Affect Blood Sugar?

Because honey contains sugar, it naturally affects blood sugar levels in the body, although there are fewer side effects than granulated sugar. This has been proven by a study in 2004 where researchers found that honey did increase blood sugar levels in the first 30 minutes of consumption but after that blood sugar levels decreased and remained stable for the next two hours. In addition, other studies have also proven that honey has a lower glycemic index than granulated sugar and is safe for consumption as a sweetener in foods or beverages.

Can Diabetics Eat Honey?

Given that honey has a lower glycemic index, the answer is yes. Honey can help control blood sugar and increase insulin levels in the body. Plus, honey is sweeter than regular sugar, so you only need a small amount when using it as a sweetener.

Replacing sugar with honey will make the body healthier because honey is a source of antioxidants which is also rich in anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. Inflammation often occurs in the body of diabetics so honey can help overcome it and make diabetics avoid complications.

Although honey is safe for diabetics, don’t forget to consume it in moderate or limited amounts. Choose premium pure honey from Madurasa if you want to get the benefits of honey for diabetics and still be able to consume your favorite sweet drink or food.