Effects of natural honey consumption in diabetic patients: an 8-week randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives We investigated the effect of natural honey on body weight and some blood biochemical indices of diabetic subjects.

Methods Forty-eight diabetic type 2 patients were randomly assigned into two groups: the honey group received oral natural honey for 8 weeks, and the control group did not take honey. Before the onset of the study (week 0) and after 8 weeks, weight measurements were taken and fasting blood samples were drawn.

Results After adjustment for the baseline values, there were no significant differences in the fasting blood sugars between the two groups. Body weight, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride decreased (P = 0.000), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased significantly (P < 0.01) in honey group. The levels of hemoglobin A_1C increased significantly in this group (P < 0.01).

Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that 8-week consumption of honey can provide beneficial effects on body weight and blood lipids of diabetic patients. However, since an increase in the hemoglobin A_1C levels was observed, cautious consumption of this food by diabetic patients is recommended.

Keywords::

• Diabetes
• honey
• oral consumption

Acknowledgements

This research has been supported by Tehran University of Medical Sciences & Health services grant. The authors would like to express their gratitude to the subjects for their participation and cooperation in this research and to thank Dr Somayye Amiri-Moghaddam.