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They found high-certainty evidence linking honey to increased levels of “good” high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.Īdditional research may help improve the certainty of the available evidence.
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The authors found low-certainty evidence linking honey consumption to improved blood sugar control and reduced levels of “bad” low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Different trials compared increased honey consumption to participants’ usual diets, sucrose consumption, or high-fructose corn syrup consumption. The review included 18 controlled trials, with a total of 1105 participants. “This seems to be a robust, comprehensive meta-analysis with a large sample size.” “Over 100 organizations worldwide officially endorse the GRADE system,” Stephanie Schiff, RDN, CDN, CDCES, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at Huntington Hospital in Huntington, New York, told Healthline. The authors of the new review used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation ( GRADE) system to evaluate and synthesize past studies on honey.
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Robinia honey, which is made from the pollen of the black locust tree, was also particularly beneficial for improving lipid levels. However, habitual replacement of refined sugars with honey over time may have some positive impacts for people,” she said.Ĭlover honey and unprocessed raw honey appeared to be particularly beneficial for improving blood sugar control and lipid levels. “A teaspoon of honey isn’t going to do a dang thing. “I think the message from this study is that there may be some benefits in replacing some of the added refined sugars that you’re already consuming with honey,” Jamie Pope, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, an adjunct assistant professor of nutritional sciences at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, Tennessee, told Healthline. This may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The authors found that honey consumption was linked to lower fasting blood sugar levels, as well as lower levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. Nutrition Reviewsrecently published a systematic review and meta-analysis that evaluated the effects of honey, especially raw and clover honey, on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Honey is a natural sweetener that never goes bad when it’s properly collected and stored-and according to a new review of research, it may also have benefits for cardiometabolic health.
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