Honey does not adversely impact blood lipids of adult men and women: a randomized cross-over trial

Abstract

Consumption of added sugars in the US is estimated to be approximately 1.5 times recommended levels and has been linked to increased risk for developing chronic diseases. We hypothesized that relative to sugar, honey would reduce energy intake and improve serum lipid profiles. To test this, we assessed the short-term (1-week) and relatively long-term (1-month) effects of honey versus sucrose on changes in dietary intake and serum lipid concentrations. Thirty-seven apparently healthy subjects (21 males; 16 females) aged 24-57 years (BMI = 17.6-37.2 kg/m 2) completed two 4-week trials in a randomized, cross-over design separated by ≥4-week washout. During each trial, subjects consumed either clover honey or sucrose providing 1.2 g/kg/day of carbohydrate under free-living conditions with instructions to avoid changing their habitual food intake. Serum triglyceride (TG) concentrations were elevated (P < .05) after 1 week for both trials but only remained elevated (P < .05) at the 4-week time-point during sucrose consumption. The elevation after 1 week during the honey trial was concurrent with a transient increase (P < .05) in body weight. No effects on serum concentrations of insulin, total cholesterol, low density lipoproteincholesterol, or high density lipoprotein-cholesterol were detected for either trial. Subjects consumed significantly less energy (P < .05), carbohydrate (P < .005), sugars (P < .05), and saturated fat (P < .05) during the honey trial. These data suggest that honey may serve as a favorable substitute for sucrose with regard to reduced energy intake, carbohydrate and sugars, without negatively influencing serum lipid concentrations.

The effect of honey on lipid profiles: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials

“…In another study performed on healthy adults, it was hypothesised that compared with sucrose, honey consumption did not negatively affect blood lipids, including HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. They believed that honey consumption could reduce energy and carbohydrate intake without negatively affecting blood lipids compared with sucrose among healthy participants (16) . In another study, eight weeks of honey consumption led to a reduction in LDL-cholesterol, TC and TAG concentrations and LDL-cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio in diabetic patients, which was on the contrary to the results of the current meta-analysis (24) .…”

“…The publication date for these studies ranged from 1988 to 2020. The studies were done in Iran (n 6) (15,(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) , USA (n 2) (16,26) , Malaysia (n 3) (27)(28)(29) , Indonesia (n 2) (30,31) , Pakistan (n 2) (32,33) , Turkey (n 1) (34) , New Zealand (n 1) (35) , Egypt (n 1) (36) , Germany (n 1) (37) , Nigeria (n 1) (38) , Dubai (n 1) (39) , Saudi Arabia (n 1) (40) and Greece (n 1) (41) . The studies were performed on healthy, overweight, obese, glucose-intolerant and hyperlipidaemic participants, diabetics (type 2, type 1 and nephropathy diabetics), postmenopausal women, individuals undergoing elective surgery and asymptomatic treatment-naïve HIV-infected patients.…”

“…In this regard, one study had an unclear risk (37) and the rest had a high risk of bias. Four studies (16,27,32,34) were not clear in providing complete outcome data, and one (26) was found to have a high risk. Moreover, five studies (15,16,21,28,36) had a low risk of bias in selective reporting, while the remaining fourteen had an unclear risk of bias.…”

“…Four studies (16,27,32,34) were not clear in providing complete outcome data, and one (26) was found to have a high risk. Moreover, five studies (15,16,21,28,36) had a low risk of bias in selective reporting, while the remaining fourteen had an unclear risk of bias. Two studies (28,34) had other sources of bias.…”

“…The latest meta-analysis on ten trials revealed the beneficial effects of honey on lipid profiles, including LDL-cholesterol, TAG and HDL-cholesterol (14) . However, some recent studies have not confirmed the lipid-lowering properties of honey (15,16) . Despite the numerous potential biological activities mentioned above, the real effects of honey consumption on cardiovascular systems and lipid profiles are still a matter of debate.…”