Honey is a sweet treat that evokes warmth and comfort, and has the reputation of being a soothing elixir during cold and flu season.
No wonder honey sales peak in January, according to the National Honey Board, the industry promotion board.
Made by bees from flower nectar, honey has been eaten and used for medicinal purposes by humans for thousands of years. But is honey really good for you?
Honey nutrition:
Honey is naturally about 80% sugar, so it’s calorie- and energy-dense. One tablespoon of honey contains the following, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
- 64 calories
- 17 grams of carbohydrates
- 17 grams of sugar
Honey has no fat, protein, fiber or cholesterol, but one tablespoon contains trace amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, vitamin C and folate.
In all, honey contains about 180 types of different compounds, including various phytochemicals, or plant-based bioactive compounds, studies have found.
What are the health benefits of honey?
If you’re choosing between different types of sweeteners, there might be some benefit of honey due to all the different compounds it contains, says Maya Vadiveloo, Ph.D., a registered dietitian and an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Rhode Island.
“There’s been some research showing that it has more antioxidants, and it’s relatively a better source of potassium and some minerals than, say, table sugar,” Vadiveloo tells TODAY.com.
“But I wouldn’t rush out to be eating honey as a health food… it’s still a source of added sugar.”
Honey contains antioxidants such as phenolic acid and flavonoids, which make it a slightly better choice than sugar, but both should be consumed in moderation, says Elisabetta Politi, a clinical dietitian at the Duke Lifestyle and Weight Management Center in Durham, North Carolina.
As a source of antioxidants, some studies suggest honey can help prevent heart disease, she adds.
A recent study found consuming around 2 tablespoons of honey a…
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