Honey has the same effect on blood sugar levels as regular sugar, making it a poor substitute for diabetics. While honey contains nutrients, the risks outweigh the benefits. Artificial sweeteners are a better option.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to process carbohydrates properly, resulting in higher levels of glucose in the bloodstream. In general, people who are diagnosed with this condition are advised to avoid as much sugar and various simple carbohydrates as possible. Some have wondered if honey is a better option than processed sugars and if it can be used instead of regular table sugar. The fact is that the relationship between honey and diabetes is a bit more complicated and worth looking at closely.
The first thing to understand about the relationship between honey and diabetes is that honey has the same effect on blood sugar levels as regular granulated sugar. Eating honey produces the same dangerously rapid spike in blood glucose levels and takes just as long to filter out of the bloodstream. This means that choosing to use honey over sugar will not make it easier to control glucose levels and carries the same dangers to the kidneys and other organs as consuming sugar.
For this reason, diabetics should not view honey as the best substitute for sugar in the diet. A better option would be to use some kind of artificial substitute that provides no carbs at all. With several on the market today that can be used in both hot and cold foods and beverages, there’s really no need to rely on honey as a substitute sweetener.
At the same time, there is an aspect of the interaction between honey and diabetes that is somewhat beneficial. Unlike sugar, honey contains a number of nutrients that the body needs to maintain a healthy body. While many of these nutrients are found in trace amounts, they help strengthen the nervous system, balance mood, fight fatigue, and generally help the body produce the energy it needs to keep going. The question is whether the risks of consuming honey outweigh the benefits. As many diabetics can attest, the benefits do not outweigh the risks.
When it comes to choosing between ingesting sugar or consuming honey, going with raw honey is always the better option. This is true for both diabetics and anyone who does not have the disease. However, these few benefits do not mean that there is a positive relationship between honey and diabetes. Honey should be seen as the lesser of two evils for the diabetic. Instead of trying to justify eating honey because of the nutritional content, diabetics should consume other foods that contain those same nutrients but do not contain the carbohydrate content. Consider the relationship between honey and diabetes less than positive, and focus attention on healthier ways to get the nutrients you need.
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