Exploring the Varied Benefits of Honey

Humans have enjoyed honey for millennia. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks used it not just as a sweet addition to their diets but also as a treatment for wounds. Hippocrates, often called the “father of medicine,” even promoted honey for a range of purposes, some of which, well, probably weren’t spot on – like using it for contraception or hair loss.

Nowadays, honey is frequently touted as a superfood, boasting an impressive list of purported benefits. It’s often recommended for soothing coughs, packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, and even suggested as a possible way to tackle drug-resistant bacteria. However, claims linking honey to relief from hay fever have been largely debunked, showing insufficient evidence that raw honey alleviates allergic symptoms.

So, which benefits of honey hold up under scrutiny, and which are simply overhyped?

Understanding Honey’s Benefits

The honey produced by the western honeybee, Apis mellifera, is primarily sugar – around 80%. This high sugar content helps prevent bacteria from thriving, according to Liz Harry, an emeritus professor at the University of Technology Sydney.

“It pretty much never spoils,” Dr. Kenya Fernandes from the University of Sydney remarked. This explains why jars of honey have been discovered intact in ancient archaeological sites.

Moreover, honey includes components like hydrogen peroxide, which is also utilized as a disinfectant. A 2024 study co-authored by Fernandes indicates that many Australian honey samples maintained some antimicrobial properties even after being stored for 15 to 17 years.

In addition to its sugar content, honey contains various vitamins and minerals, although the specific nutrients can change depending on where the nectar comes from. Notably, Manuka honey, derived from the nectar of the manuka tree, is unique because it contains a compound called methylglyoxal, which also exhibits antibacterial traits.

Harry suggests that the myriad of active compounds in honey work synergistically, creating a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts. This complexity is why researchers are looking into using honey in its entirety for potential topical treatments rather than isolating its individual components.

While there’s some evidence supporting honey for wound healing, it isn’t commonly used in medical applications, according to dermatologist Prof. Deshan Sebaratnam. “Some studies suggest honey may outperform certain conventional antiseptics, yet the quality of most of these studies is lacking,” he adds.

Despite its antimicrobial potential, raw honey can harbor bacterial spores that lead to botulism. This is why it’s unsafe for infants under 12 months and why medical-grade honey for wound care is sterilized through gamma radiation.

As each batch of honey can have different active compounds, standardizing non-Manuka honey for clinical use presents its own set of challenges.

Interestingly, a recent study by Fernandes revealed that bees gathering nectar from a diverse range of Australian native plants produced honey with stronger antimicrobial properties compared to honey sourced from just one kind of plant. “We don’t yet have the tools to reliably predict which honeys will consistently show antibacterial effects… that’s why this research is so important,” she notes.

Can Honey Serve as an Antibiotic?

Sadly, honey isn’t likely to be the answer to the global antibiotic resistance crisis. There’s some proof that honey can be effective as an antiseptic, applied externally, but it doesn’t work as an antibiotic to combat bacteria within the body.

Harry clarifies, “It’s completely inappropriate to use honey as you would an antibiotic. It’s not designed to enter the bloodstream and target specific areas.” Antiseptics and disinfectants, like alcohol, do work well on the skin but aren’t effective once ingested.

“There’s really no reason to think that manuka honey is superior to other varieties for consumption,” she adds.

However, there’s some research hinting that honey might influence the gut microbiome positively. Honey is rich in certain indigestible carbohydrates known as oligosaccharides, which can act as prebiotics, supporting healthy gut bacteria.

That said, due to its high sugar concentration, Harry doesn’t believe honey is the best option for promoting gut health. But, she acknowledges that its prebiotic qualities could warrant further investigation.

Additionally, some studies have connected honey with improved sleep and less severe coughing in kids suffering from upper respiratory infections, though it’s important to note that these infections usually don’t require any treatment. As highlighted by Prof. Clare Collins from the University of Newcastle, variations in the types and amounts of honey used in different studies mean that conclusions must be approached with a degree of caution.