Honey has long been touted as having medicinal benefits. The phytonutrients in raw honey are thought to treat everything from upper respiratory infections to high blood sugar to even cancer, but scientific evidence to support these claims is still lacking. The same can be said for its use in lowering blood pressure. Even in relatively high quantities, it isn't likely to make an impact.
Cholesterol
The only benefit of honey on high blood pressure is its potential effect on cholesterol, which is just one of the many risk factors associated with this condition. High blood cholesterol can narrow the arteries, restricting blood flow and causing the heart to work that much harder to transport blood, oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. With the increased effort, the passage of blood places much more force on the arterial walls, leading to high blood pressure.
Evidence
A study published in the spring 2004 "Journal of Medicinal Foods" found that honey lowered total cholesterol by roughly 7 percent after 15 days of use. It also lowered low-density lipoproteins, or "bad" cholesterol, by 1 percent, and it increased high-density lipoproteins, or "good" cholesterol, by 2 percent within this timeframe. But the study was limited to only 11 participants, so a broader investigation is needed to determine its true benefits on cholesterol, let alone blood pressure.
Blood Pressure
Even if honey were able to lower blood cholesterol, it's only one of the risk factors known to contribute to this condition. High-sodium diets, sedentary lifestyles, age, race and obesity all increase your risk of developing high blood pressure. Eating honey does nothing to change these factors, so it isn't likely to have much of an impact on your numbers.
Treatment
Instead of relying on a single dietary factor to improve your blood pressure, try changing your overall lifestyle. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes with moderate amounts of low-fat dairy and lean meats can help. Also, limit the amount of sodium -- or table salt, for that matter -- you get each day. Try to keep it below 1,500 mg if at all possible. Besides diet, increase your level of physical activity. Getting at least 30 minutes of moderately intense cardio most days of the week can improve heart health, allowing it to work more efficiently and thereby improving blood pressure. With your dietary changes and increase in physical activity, you're on your way to better managing your weight. In fact, losing just 5 lbs. can help lower your blood pressure, MayoClinic.com reports. Talk to your doctor to determine the best approach to lowering your numbers.
References
- MayoClinic.com; High Blood Pressure (Hypertension); March 2011
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; High Blood Pressure; April 2011
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure -- Treatment for High Blood Pressure
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Natural Honey Lowers Plasma Glucose, C-Reactive Protein, Homocysteine, and Blood Lipids in Healthy, Diabetic and Hyperlipidemic Subjects: Comparison with Dextrose and Sucrose; N.S. Al-Walli; Spring 2004
