Honey: Difference between revisions

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A 2008 Italian study determined that [[nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy]] can be used to distinguish between different honey types, and can be used to pinpoint the area where it was produced. Researchers were able to identify differences in acacia and polyfloral honeys by the differing proportions of fructose and sucrose, as well as differing levels of aromatic [[amino acid]]s [[phenylalanine]] and [[tyrosine]]. This ability allows greater ease of selecting compatible stocks.

~~== Medical use and research ==~~

~~{{See also|Apitherapy}}~~

~~=== Wounds and burns ===~~

Honey is a [[folk treatment]] for burns and other skin injuries. Preliminary evidence suggests that it aids in the healing of partial thickness burns 4–5 days faster than other dressings, and moderate evidence suggests that post-operative infections treated with honey heal faster and with fewer adverse events than with [[antiseptic]] and [[gauze]]. The evidence for the use of honey in various other wound treatments is of low quality, and firm conclusions cannot be drawn. Evidence does not support the use of honey-based products for the treatment of [[venous ulcer|venous stasis ulcers]] or [[ingrown toenail]]. Several medical-grade honey products have been approved by the [[United States|US]] [[Food and Drug Administration]] for use in treating minor wounds and burns.

~~=== Antibiotic ===~~

Honey has long been used as a [[topical antibiotic]] by practitioners of [[traditional medicine|traditional]] and [[herbal medicine]]. Honey's antibacterial effects were first demonstrated by the Dutch scientist Bernardus Adrianus van Ketel in 1892. Since then, numerous studies have shown that honey has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against [[Gram-positive bacteria|gram-positive]] and [[Gram-negative bacteria|gram-negative]] bacteria, although potency varies widely between different honeys. Due to the proliferation of [[List of antibiotic-resistant bacteria|antibiotic-resistant bacteria]] in the last few decades, there has been renewed interest in researching the antibacterial properties of honey. Components of honey under preliminary research for potential antibiotic use include [[methylglyoxal]], [[hydrogen peroxide]], and royalisin (also called defensin-1).

~~=== Cough ===~~

For chronic and acute coughs, a [[Cochrane (organisation)|Cochrane]] review found no strong evidence for or against the use of honey. For treating children, the systematic review concluded with moderate to low evidence that honey helps more than no treatment, [[diphenhydramine]], and [[placebo]] at giving relief from coughing. Honey does not appear to work better than [[dextromethorphan]] at relieving coughing in children. Other reviews have also supported the use of honey for treating children.

The UK [[Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency]] recommends avoiding giving [[over-the-counter]] cough and [[common cold]] medication to children under six, and suggests "a homemade remedy containing honey and lemon is likely to be just as useful and safer to take", but warns that honey should not be given to babies because of the risk of infant [[botulism]]. The World Health Organization recommends honey as a treatment for coughs and sore throats, including for children, stating that no reason exists to believe it is less effective than a commercial remedy.

~~=== Other ===~~

The use of honey has been recommended as a temporary intervention for known or suspected [[button cell]] battery ingestions to reduce the risk and severity of injury to the [[esophagus]] caused by the battery prior to its removal.

~~There is no evidence that honey is beneficial for treating [[cancer]], although honey may be useful for controlling [[side effect]]s of [[radiation therapy]] or [[chemotherapy]] used to treat cancer.~~

Consumption is sometimes advocated as a treatment for [[seasonal allergies]] due to [[pollen]], but scientific evidence to support the claim is inconclusive. Honey is generally considered ineffective for the treatment of [[allergic conjunctivitis]].

The majority of calories in honey are from fructose. When consumed in addition to a normal diet, fructose causes significant weight gain, but when fructose was substituted for other carbohydrates of equal energy value there was no effect on body weight.

~~Honey has a mild laxative effect which has been noted as being helpful in alleviating constipation and bloating.~~

~~=== Health hazards ===~~

Honey is generally safe when taken in typical food amounts, but it may have various, potential [[adverse effect]]s or [[drug interaction|interactions]] in combination with excessive consumption, existing [[disease]] conditions, or [[drug]]s. Included among these are mild reactions to high intake, such as [[anxiety (mood)|anxiety]], [[insomnia]], or [[hyperactivity]] in about 10% of children, according to one study. No symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, or hyperactivity were detected with honey consumption compared to [[placebo]], according to another study. Honey consumption may interact adversely with existing [[allergy|allergies]], high [[blood sugar]] levels (as in [[diabetes]]), or [[anticoagulant]]s used to control [[bleeding]], among other [[clinical medicine|clinical]] conditions.

~~People who have a [[immunocompromised|weakened immune system]] may be at risk of bacterial or fungal infection from eating honey.~~

~~==== Botulism ====~~

~~Infants can develop botulism after consuming honey contaminated with ''[[Clostridium botulinum]]'' endospores.~~

Infantile botulism shows geographical variation. In the UK, only six cases were reported between 1976 and 2006, yet the US has much higher rates: 1.9 per 100,000 live births, 47.2% of which are in California. While the risk honey poses to infant health is small, taking the risk is not recommended until after one year of age, and then giving honey is considered safe.

~~==== Toxic honey ====~~

~~{{Main|Mad honey|Bees and toxic chemicals#Toxic honey}}~~

[[Mad honey disease|Mad honey intoxication]] is a result of eating honey containing [[grayanotoxin]]s. Honey produced from flowers of [[rhododendron]]s, [[Kalmia latifolia|mountain laurels]], [[Kalmia angustifolia|sheep laurel]], and [[azalea]]s may cause honey intoxication. Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, nausea, and vomiting. Less commonly, low blood pressure, shock, heart rhythm irregularities, and convulsions may occur, with rare cases resulting in death. According to the FDA, honey intoxication is more likely when using "natural" unprocessed honey from farmers who may have a small number of hives because commercial processing, which pools of honey from numerous sources, dilutes the toxins.

Toxic honey may also result when bees are proximate to [[Tutu (plant)|tutu]] bushes (''Coriaria arborea'') and the vine hopper insect (''[[Scolypopa australis]]''). Both are found throughout New Zealand. Bees gather honeydew produced by the vine hopper insects feeding on the tutu plant. This introduces the poison [[Tutin (toxin)|tutin]] into honey. Only a few areas in New Zealand (the [[Coromandel Peninsula]], Eastern [[Bay of Plenty Region]] and the [[Marlborough Sounds]]) frequently produce toxic honey. Symptoms of tutin poisoning include vomiting, delirium, giddiness, increased excitability, stupor, coma, and violent convulsions. To reduce the risk of tutin poisoning, humans should not eat honey taken from feral hives in the risk areas of New Zealand. Since December 2001, New Zealand beekeepers have been required to reduce the risk of producing toxic honey by closely monitoring tutu, vine hopper, and foraging conditions within {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on|frac=2}} of their apiary. Intoxication is rarely dangerous.

~~=== Folk medicine ===~~

In [[myth]]s and [[folk medicine]], honey was used both orally and topically to treat various ailments including [[gastric]] disturbances, [[ulcer]]s, [[skin]] [[wound]]s, and skin [[burn]]s by ancient Greeks and Egyptians, and in [[Ayurveda]] and [[traditional Chinese medicine]].

@@ Line 270: / Line 270: @@
 A 2008 Italian study determined that [[nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy]] can be used to distinguish between different honey types, and can be used to pinpoint the area where it was produced. Researchers were able to identify differences in acacia and polyfloral honeys by the differing proportions of fructose and sucrose, as well as differing levels of aromatic [[amino acid]]s [[phenylalanine]] and [[tyrosine]]. This ability allows greater ease of selecting compatible stocks.
-== Medical use and research ==
-{{See also|Apitherapy}}
-=== Wounds and burns ===
-Honey is a [[folk treatment]] for burns and other skin injuries. Preliminary evidence suggests that it aids in the healing of partial thickness burns 4–5 days faster than other dressings, and moderate evidence suggests that post-operative infections treated with honey heal faster and with fewer adverse events than with [[antiseptic]] and [[gauze]]. The evidence for the use of honey in various other wound treatments is of low quality, and firm conclusions cannot be drawn. Evidence does not support the use of honey-based products for the treatment of [[venous ulcer|venous stasis ulcers]] or [[ingrown toenail]]. Several medical-grade honey products have been approved by the [[United States|US]] [[Food and Drug Administration]] for use in treating minor wounds and burns.
-=== Antibiotic ===
-Honey has long been used as a [[topical antibiotic]] by practitioners of [[traditional medicine|traditional]] and [[herbal medicine]]. Honey's antibacterial effects were first demonstrated by the Dutch scientist Bernardus Adrianus van Ketel in 1892. Since then, numerous studies have shown that honey has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against [[Gram-positive bacteria|gram-positive]] and [[Gram-negative bacteria|gram-negative]] bacteria, although potency varies widely between different honeys. Due to the proliferation of [[List of antibiotic-resistant bacteria|antibiotic-resistant bacteria]] in the last few decades, there has been renewed interest in researching the antibacterial properties of honey. Components of honey under preliminary research for potential antibiotic use include [[methylglyoxal]], [[hydrogen peroxide]], and royalisin (also called defensin-1).
-=== Cough ===
-For chronic and acute coughs, a [[Cochrane (organisation)|Cochrane]] review found no strong evidence for or against the use of honey. For treating children, the systematic review concluded with moderate to low evidence that honey helps more than no treatment, [[diphenhydramine]], and [[placebo]] at giving relief from coughing. Honey does not appear to work better than [[dextromethorphan]] at relieving coughing in children. Other reviews have also supported the use of honey for treating children.
-The UK [[Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency]] recommends avoiding giving [[over-the-counter]] cough and [[common cold]] medication to children under six, and suggests "a homemade remedy containing honey and lemon is likely to be just as useful and safer to take", but warns that honey should not be given to babies because of the risk of infant [[botulism]]. The World Health Organization recommends honey as a treatment for coughs and sore throats, including for children, stating that no reason exists to believe it is less effective than a commercial remedy.
-=== Other ===
-The use of honey has been recommended as a temporary intervention for known or suspected [[button cell]] battery ingestions to reduce the risk and severity of injury to the [[esophagus]] caused by the battery prior to its removal.
-There is no evidence that honey is beneficial for treating [[cancer]], although honey may be useful for controlling [[side effect]]s of [[radiation therapy]] or [[chemotherapy]] used to treat cancer.
-Consumption is sometimes advocated as a treatment for [[seasonal allergies]] due to [[pollen]], but scientific evidence to support the claim is inconclusive. Honey is generally considered ineffective for the treatment of [[allergic conjunctivitis]].
-The majority of calories in honey are from fructose. When consumed in addition to a normal diet, fructose causes significant weight gain, but when fructose was substituted for other carbohydrates of equal energy value there was no effect on body weight.
-Honey has a mild laxative effect which has been noted as being helpful in alleviating constipation and bloating.
-=== Health hazards ===
-Honey is generally safe when taken in typical food amounts, but it may have various, potential [[adverse effect]]s or [[drug interaction|interactions]] in combination with excessive consumption, existing [[disease]] conditions, or [[drug]]s. Included among these are mild reactions to high intake, such as [[anxiety (mood)|anxiety]], [[insomnia]], or [[hyperactivity]] in about 10% of children, according to one study. No symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, or hyperactivity were detected with honey consumption compared to [[placebo]], according to another study. Honey consumption may interact adversely with existing [[allergy|allergies]], high [[blood sugar]] levels (as in [[diabetes]]), or [[anticoagulant]]s used to control [[bleeding]], among other [[clinical medicine|clinical]] conditions.
-People who have a [[immunocompromised|weakened immune system]] may be at risk of bacterial or fungal infection from eating honey.
-==== Botulism ====
-Infants can develop botulism after consuming honey contaminated with ''[[Clostridium botulinum]]'' endospores.
-Infantile botulism shows geographical variation. In the UK, only six cases were reported between 1976 and 2006, yet the US has much higher rates: 1.9 per 100,000 live births, 47.2% of which are in California. While the risk honey poses to infant health is small, taking the risk is not recommended until after one year of age, and then giving honey is considered safe.
-==== Toxic honey ====
-{{Main|Mad honey|Bees and toxic chemicals#Toxic honey}}
-[[Mad honey disease|Mad honey intoxication]] is a result of eating honey containing [[grayanotoxin]]s. Honey produced from flowers of [[rhododendron]]s, [[Kalmia latifolia|mountain laurels]], [[Kalmia angustifolia|sheep laurel]], and [[azalea]]s may cause honey intoxication. Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, nausea, and vomiting. Less commonly, low blood pressure, shock, heart rhythm irregularities, and convulsions may occur, with rare cases resulting in death. According to the FDA, honey intoxication is more likely when using "natural" unprocessed honey from farmers who may have a small number of hives because commercial processing, which pools of honey from numerous sources, dilutes the toxins.
-Toxic honey may also result when bees are proximate to [[Tutu (plant)|tutu]] bushes (''Coriaria arborea'') and the vine hopper insect (''[[Scolypopa australis]]''). Both are found throughout New Zealand. Bees gather honeydew produced by the vine hopper insects feeding on the tutu plant. This introduces the poison [[Tutin (toxin)|tutin]] into honey. Only a few areas in New Zealand (the [[Coromandel Peninsula]], Eastern [[Bay of Plenty Region]] and the [[Marlborough Sounds]]) frequently produce toxic honey. Symptoms of tutin poisoning include vomiting, delirium, giddiness, increased excitability, stupor, coma, and violent convulsions. To reduce the risk of tutin poisoning, humans should not eat honey taken from feral hives in the risk areas of New Zealand. Since December 2001, New Zealand beekeepers have been required to reduce the risk of producing toxic honey by closely monitoring tutu, vine hopper, and foraging conditions within {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on|frac=2}} of their apiary. Intoxication is rarely dangerous.
-=== Folk medicine ===
-In [[myth]]s and [[folk medicine]], honey was used both orally and topically to treat various ailments including [[gastric]] disturbances, [[ulcer]]s, [[skin]] [[wound]]s, and skin [[burn]]s by ancient Greeks and Egyptians, and in [[Ayurveda]] and [[traditional Chinese medicine]].