Honey has been used as medicine for centuries – does it really work?
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- Sidr honey has a glycemic index of 32, well below refined white sugar’s GI 65, indicating a slower blood‑sugar rise.
- Greek thyme honey registers a glycemic index of 85, surpassing refined sugar and highlighting how nectar source drives sugar impact.
- Raw honey retains higher levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids than pasteurised honey, offering antioxidant benefits that support heart‑health and cancer protection.
- Pasteurised honey is heat‑treated to eliminate Clostridium botulinum spores, extending shelf life and reducing infant botulism risk, but the process destroys some antioxidants.
- Infants under 1 should not be given honey because of the risk of botulinum toxin, a guideline that drives parental avoidance and influences market labeling.
Why it matters: Parents of infants under 1 avoid a neurotoxin risk, while raw honey producers gain premium market share by highlighting low GI (e.g., Sidr honey GI 32) and antioxidant content, driving higher sales and consumer trust.
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