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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Bahrami
Mohsen
M
Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Ataie-Jafari
Asal
A
Hosseini
Saeed
S
Foruzanfar
Mohammad Hasan
MH
Rahmani
Mazaher
M
Pajouhi
Mohammad
M
D001835:Body Weight; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006722:Honey; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood
D008055:Lipids