Honey is often considered a natural alternative to table sugar-and has added antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, some social media users say that the way they use honey can deactivate these health benefits.
For example, some wellness influencers say that honey pour in hot tea, coffee or other liquids, breaks off the advantageous properties of the sweetness and releases toxins.
Nutrition experts are not convinced. “There is a lot of misinformation about honey on the Internet and on social media,” said Julie Stefanski, Med, RDN, a dietary and spokesman for nutrition and dietary, based in Baltimore.
Here are six ordinary honey myths and why you should continue scrolling when you appear in your social media feed.
1. Raw honey is healthier than normal honey
Peasant markets, local beekeepers and natural grocery stores often sell raw honey. There is no standard definition of raw honey, but it is usually not heated or filtered. Some people believe that raw honey is healthier than normal honey, but only a few evidence support this claim.
A meta-analysis from 2022 indicated that raw honey, clover honey and Robinia honey help reduce fasting glucose and the entire cholesterol level, but the authors found that more research is required.
“Raw honey can contain yeast, pollen and very small amounts of active substances such as enzymes and plant chemicals that are known as antioxidants. Research studies have not confirmed that the presence of these substances leads to specific health advantages, ”said Stefanski.
Some people choose raw honey for his antioxidants, but this probably doesn’t make a big difference for general health.
“Compared to certain vegetables such as leaf greens, the number of antioxidants that they actually receive is missing when you eat honey,” said Stefanski.
2. Pour honey into hot tea released toxins
Some social media users said that pouring honey in hot water or heating of honey over 284 ° f (140 ° C) releases toxins or poisons.
While the idea probably came from Ayurvedic medicine, this claim does not base this claim.
“As far as I know, there are no examples in which people have poisoned themselves by putting honey in their tea or coffee,” said Donald W. University.
“If honey contains toxins, it would not be allowed for sale,” he added.
3. It is not certain to stir honey with a metal spoon
If you use a metal spoon, you will not destroy your honey and you don’t have to buy a special wooden honey dipper to mix the sweetener in your tea.
According to food scientists conductor, metals such as silver and platinum hydrogen peroxide, an antimicrobial molecule in honey, could cause to collapse in water and oxygen.
“I think most people don’t stir honey with silver or platinum spoons, so this is probably not a major problem,” said Schaffner.
4. Honey heals your allergies
Limited evidence suggests that honey can help improve some allergies. More research is required to support these results, but honey alone will probably not stop your seasonal allergies.
In addition, the honey would have to be created from their home within several miles, said Stefanski. “A local honey harvested in the state of New York does not have the same advantages for someone who has allergies in South Carolina, as the environmental allies are different there.”
5. Honey can heal wounds
Honey is said to have antimicrobial properties, which explains why some people put honey on wounds. In the drugstore you may even see honeywound cream with medical honey from honey.
In contrast to the honey they distributed to Toast, medical honey is prepared especially for contact with wounds and burns.
Some studies have shown that honey for medical quality can help treatment for combustion wounds, but that does not mean that a standard honey glass should replace its over -the -counter antibacterial ointment.
6. Honey is healthier than table sugar
“Healthy” recipes often require honey instead of table sugar. Although Honey has the reputation as a better option than other sweeteners, it is not necessarily healthier for them.
“Whether a sweetener is of course, such as honey or fruit sugar or refined, such as table sugar or corn syrup, they are all carbohydrates. When we eat or drink something with carbohydrates, our body transforms it into blood sugar before we keep the sugar in our cells or use it for energy, ”said Stefanski.
“While you love the taste of honey, it is important not to justify overuse by transforming tiny health claims into the billboard size services,” she added.
What does this mean for you
There are some misinformation about honey on social media, such as hot water that deactivates the health benefits. Experts agreed that there are no evidence of these claims. Feel free to enjoy your honey in any way that you prefer.