Honey is made from the nectar produced by bees. This product is used in many recipes and can sweeten foods because of its high sugar content. Honey is loaded with natural sugars that can greatly affect your blood sugar levels, depending on the amount consumed and your own personal health. However, honey does not affect cholesterol in any significant way.
Blood Sugar Level
Some blood sugar is essential to healthy functioning -- it provides instant energy that can be produced by the body. These sugars enter the blood stream after being broken down in the stomach, and the body releases a chemical called insulin to further break down the sugar molecules and use them as energy. Diabetics do not produce insulin in large amounts, if at all, preventing the body from regulating the sugar present in the bloodstream at any given time.
Effects of Honey
Honey provides a high concentration of sugar directly into the body. These sugars can spike your blood sugar level in short order, particularly if the honey is not accompanied by other foods. Depending on the amount you eat, you are likely to feel increased energy while the sugar runs its course in your bloodstream. This has no effect on cholesterol, which is composed of fatty acids rather than sugar molecules. But if your blood sugar is too high, or if you are diabetic and unable to control your blood sugar, this can have unwanted complications.
Health Concerns
Diabetics who take in honey need to be wary of how their body processes the sugars. High blood sugar can lead to frequent urination and increased thirst, and it can progress to more serious conditions like shortness of breath, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, according to the American Diabetes Association. Even non-diabetics can suffer these symptoms if the amount of consumed sugars, such as honey, is too high.
Considerations
If you are sensitive to sugar or are concerned about sugar's effects in your body, limit the amount of honey you consume. Diabetics should have insulin injections or other medications on hand to treat themselves if their blood sugar raises too high. Do not give honey to children under 2 years of age -- their bodies may not be able to properly process the food.
