Heart Health and Honey
Honey has numerous health benefits associated with it. It also includes a large amount of sugar, so its consumption should be limited, especially for diabetics and other patients. Various foods have a positive effect on our blood lipid levels, including cholesterol.
Does Honey Also Reduce Cholesterol Levels?
The short answer is yes, but the dosage required needs to fit the background medical condition and state of the person. Honey contains antioxidants and polyphenols. These substances help lower LDL cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein – “bad cholesterol”. Remember, too much sugar from honey isn’t necessarily a good thing, so its consumption should be monitored as part of a healthy diet.
Research has shown that honey reduces blood cholesterol levels and is beneficial for overall health. Honey also contains pollen, as well as various minerals such as magnesium, vitamins, and antioxidants. The phytochemicals within, including its flavonoids, have a beneficial cardiometabolic effect on the body, in addition to the prebiotic properties of honey.
A comprehensive meta-analysis study based on findings from seven trials involving 370 participants demonstrated that honey reduces bad cholesterol levels and raises good cholesterol levels. At the same time, other studies have shown that honey significantly reduces the level of bad LDL cholesterol. This is in addition to the research done showing that honey significantly lowers triglyceride levels as well.
It should also be noted that diet is one factor that affects cholesterol levels. However, other factors that can affect cholesterol levels include obesity, genetics, a lack of physical activity, medication use, active and untreated diseases, and more. Therefore, before rushing to conclusions and resorting to natural treatments for cholesterol through diet, we first recommend contacting your healthcare practitioner for a comprehensive medical diagnosis and treatment.
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