Natural Honey and Cardiovascular Risk Factors; Effects on Blood Glucose, Cholesterol, Triacylglycerole, CRP, and Body Weight Compared with Sucrose

Abstract

It has been found that honey ameliorates cardiovascular risk factors in healthy individuals and in patients with elevated risk factors. The present study investigated the effect of natural honey on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triacylglycerole, C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and body weight in overweight individuals. There were 55 patients, overweight or obese, who were randomly recruited into the study and assigned into two groups: control group (17 subjects) and experimental group (38 subjects). Patients in the control group received 70 g of sucrose daily for a maximum of 30 days and patients in the experimental group received 70 g of natural honey for the same period. In the control and experimental groups, body weight, body mass index, body fat weight, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triacylglycerole, FBG, and CRP were measured before treatment and at day 31 after the commencement of treatment. Results showed that honey caused a mild reduction in body weight (1.3%) and body fat (1.1%). Honey reduced total cholesterol (3%), LDL-C (5.8), triacylglycerole (11%), FBG (4.2%), and CRP (3.2%), and increased HDL-C (3.3%) in subjects with normal values, while in patients with elevated variables, honey caused reduction in total cholesterol by 3.3%, LDL-C by 4.3%, triacylglycerole by 19%, and CRP by 3.3% (p < 0.05). It is our conclusion that consumption of natural honey reduces cardiovascular risk factors, particularly in subjects with elevated risk factors, and it does not increase body weight in overweight or obese subjects.

Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effects of Tualang Honey and Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) on Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Hormonal Profiles and Bone Density Among Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study

“…Thirdly, the differences in the dosage used. The previous study used higher dose of 70 g (Yaghoobi et al, 2008) compared with current study which only use 20g. The dose chosen for the current study was based on the previous animal study and even then it was nearly double the dose calculated.…”

“…A study looking at the effect of natural honey on cardiovascular parameters involving 55 overweight or obese, but otherwise healthy individuals showed beneficial effect of honey on the cholesterol, LDL and TG level (Yaghoobi et al, 2008). Even though the findings were statistically significant the clinical relevance was questionable since the changes from baseline were generally between 3 -6% only.…”

Glycemic Effects of Honey Compared to Glucose Using Standard OGTT

“…Avicenna (Ebne Sina), the famous Persian philosopher and physician about 1,000 years ago, mentioned the therapeutic effect of honey in Ghanoon, his published book. 3 It was used as an alternative to gold to pay taxes by the Romans, in matrimonial ceremonies by the Greeks, and in the treatment of wounds by the Egyptians. [2][3][4] In modern medicine, honey has been used for the treatment of respiratory disease, urinary disease, gastrointestinal disease, skin ulcers, wounds, eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, and radiation mucositis.…”

“…3 It was used as an alternative to gold to pay taxes by the Romans, in matrimonial ceremonies by the Greeks, and in the treatment of wounds by the Egyptians. [2][3][4] In modern medicine, honey has been used for the treatment of respiratory disease, urinary disease, gastrointestinal disease, skin ulcers, wounds, eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, and radiation mucositis. 4,5 Blood glucose lowering effect of honey may be due to multifactorial mechanisms, including insulin sensitization 4,5 , enhanced insulin secretion in diabetic patients 3 and its anti-oxidant activity 5 .…”

“…[2][3][4] In modern medicine, honey has been used for the treatment of respiratory disease, urinary disease, gastrointestinal disease, skin ulcers, wounds, eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, and radiation mucositis. 4,5 Blood glucose lowering effect of honey may be due to multifactorial mechanisms, including insulin sensitization 4,5 , enhanced insulin secretion in diabetic patients 3 and its anti-oxidant activity 5 . Yaghoobi et al 3 found that natural honey lowers fasting blood glucose, improves lipid profile (i.e.…”