Most health-care providers advise diabetics to avoid sweeteners, because they cause spikes in blood-sugar levels. Some studies, however, indicate that honey, when used in moderation, can be a healthful alternative to sugar. Dr. Maria Collazo-Clavell of the Mayo Clinic advises that honey has more carbohydrates and calories than table sugar and counts as a carbohydrate in a diabetic eating plan. Talk with your health-care provider to see if honey is an appropriate sweetener for your diet.
Honey and Would Healing
People with diabetes run a high risk of developing wounds, particularly on the feet, because of poor circulation. While your physician may recommend antibiotics and other topical preparations, a study published in the September 2010 issue of "Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice" indicates that honey is an effective dressing for diabetic ulcers. Researchers studied 30 diabetic patients with wounds; over 40 percent experienced complete healing of their injuries with application of honey.
Honey and Weight
Being overweight when you are diabetic can make it difficult to keep your blood-glucose level steady, so losing weight is an important part of controlling diabetes. Research in the November 2009 issue of the "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition" correlates the consumption of honey with improved weight loss. The study followed 48 type-2 diabetics over an eight-week period, during which participants consumed honey each day. Study participants experienced weight loss, as well as a decrease in total cholesterol.
Honey As a Sugar Substitute
In 2009, the American Heart Association called on Americans to decrease their sugar intake as a way of reducing their risk of developing conditions like diabetes. Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine suggest that too much sugar in your diet may promotes the production of fat in the liver, which leads to diabetes. A study published in the June 2011 edition of "Acta Diabetologica" concluded that honey is a sweetener alternative for type-1 diabetics, as it has a glycemic index that's lower than sugar.
Honey As Diabetes Prevention
Studies are inconclusive on the role of free radicals in diabetes. Some studies point to free radicals as a cause of diabetes, while others claim these compounds may prevent it. A study published in the September 2007 "Planta Medica" journal stands on the side of those who believe free radicals can trigger this disease. The study notes that because honey has anti-oxidant properties, it scavenges free radicals and can prevent diabetes.
References
- May Clinic: I have diabetes, and I'm wondering if I can substitute honey for sugar in my diet?
- "Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice"; The Clinical and Cost Effectiveness of Bee Honey Dressing in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers; A.M. Moghazy, et al.; September 2010
- TeensHealth from Nemours; Weight and Diabetes; S. Dowshen, MD; May 2011
- "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition"; Effects of Natural Honey Consumption in Diabetic Patients; M. Bahrami, et al.; November 2009
- "Diabetes Health"; AHA's Call for Reduced Sugar Consumption Provides Some Sour Statistics; September 2009
- "Yale Scientific Magazine"; Research Links Sugar Consumption, Fat Production, and Diabetes; J. Mei; April 2011
