The long-term effects of feeding honey compared with sucrose and a sugar-free diet on weight gain, lipid profiles, and DEXA measurements in rats.
To determine whether honey and sucrose would have differential effects on weight gain during long-term feeding, 45 2-mo-old Sprague Dawley rats were fed a powdered diet that was either sugar-free or contained 7.9% sucrose or 10% honey ad libitum for 52 wk (honey is 21% water). Weight gain was assessed every 1 to 2 wk and food intake was measured every 2 mo. At the completion of the study blood samples were removed for measurement of blood sugar (HbA1c) and a fasting lipid profile. DEXA analyses were then performed to determine body composition and bone mineral densities. Overall weight gain and body fat levels were significantly higher in sucrose-fed rats and similar for those fed honey or a sugar-free diet. HbA1c levels were significantly reduced, and HDL-cholesterol significantly increased, in honey-fed compared with rats fed sucrose or a sugar free diet, but no other differences in lipid profiles were found. No differences in bone mineral density were observed between honey- and sucrose-fed rats, although it was significantly increased in honey-fed rats compared with those fed the sugar-free diet.
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Department of Biological Sciences, Waikato University, Hamilton, New Zealand. lynnec@waikato.ac.nz
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D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006722:Honey; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D001786:Blood Glucose; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids