Honey is natural sticky, sweet substance made by honeybees from the nectar of flowers. Bees collect nectar from flowers and convert it into honey, which has a golden colour, and natural sweetness. Besides making your dishes sweet, it can offer many health benefits, including relief from cold and flu. But don't go on adding honey to anything you like. Certain honey combinations may do more harm than good. One of the common mistakes that people make is mixing honey with hot water and drinking it on an empty stomach. There are more such ingredients that you should not mix with honey!

What are the health benefits of honey?

Honey mostly consists of carbohydrates. B`ut it has other nutrients too. A 100 gram of honey has 82.4 gm of carbohydrates, 17 gm of water, and other nutrients like calcium (6 mg), potassium (52 mg), and vitamin C (0.5 mg) according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Honey is full of nutrients. Image courtesy: Freepik

Here are some of the health benefits of honey:

• Honey can help to clear excess mucus from the nose and throat region. It can help prevent cold, cough, and boost immune system, says Ayurvedic expert Dimple Jangda.
• It can help neutralise free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the body.
• Honey has antimicrobial properties that can help prevent infections and support wound healing.
• It can also improve digestive health by having a prebiotic effect that helps enhance gut flora.
• Avoid giving honey to those who are pre-diabetic, diabetic or those who have symptoms like acidity, and burning sensation, says the expert.

What are the harmful honey combinations to avoid?

Certain combinations with honey can make it toxic. Here are some of them:

1. Honey with hot water

If you add honey to hot water, it can be harmful for you. Honey can turn toxic at 140 degrees, as per a 2010 study published in AYU (an International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda). Researchers also found that since honey contains natural sugars, heating it can release 5-hydroxymethylfurfural or HMF which may be carcinogenic.

2. Honey with garlic

Honey should not be mixed with garlic, as it can lead to digestive discomfort or aggravate gastrointestinal issues for some people, says Jangda. Garlic has strong antimicrobial properties, and when mixed with honey, it may affect how the body processes the combination.

3. Honey with cucumber

Using honey to make your salad more nutritious? Make sure it does not have cucumber. Avoid mixing honey with cucumber, which has cooling and diuretic properties. When mixed with honey, cool cucumber can trigger skin issues or digestive health issues.

4. Honey with ghee

Mixing honey and ghee or clarified butter can turn toxic. During a 2020 study published in Toxicology Reports, rats were given honey and ghee in equal ratio. They were found to be incompatible. Researchers noticed hair loss, weight loss, and red patches on the ears in the rats after honey and ghee consumption.

5. Honey with meat and fish

Do not have honey with food items like fish and meat that are high in protein, says Jangda. It not only has a strange taste, but the combination can lead to delay in digestion and cause stomach problems.

6. Honey with sweet fruits

Drizzling honey in a bowl of fruits like mango will further enhance the sweetness. Avoid mixing honey with sweet fruits like pineapple and mango. Since they are already sweet, they can cause sugar spikes in people, especially those who may be diabetic.

What are the best honey combinations?

Certain combinations can enhance the benefits of honey. Check them out!

1. Honey and lemon

Honey with lemon has a soothing effect on the throat and helps cure sore throats and coughs. Lemon and honey have vitamin C, which has immune-enhacing role. Vitamin C plays a role in producing white blood cells that can help your body fight infection, according to research published in Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism in 2006. But don't heat them!

Honey and lemon is a good combination. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

2. Honey and ginger

Honey and ginger make an excellent combination to improve digestion. They are also a good home remedy for nausea relief. Ginger has anti-inflammatory benefits, aiding digestion and reducing inflammation, says Jangda.

3. Honey and cinnamon

Both these ingredients have antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory properties. The honey and cinnamon combination can be safely used to boost immunity and manage your blood sugar levels.

4. Honey and nuts

Combining honey with nuts such as almonds or walnuts offers a tasty and nutrient-dense snack. Nuts provide healthy fats and proteins that complement natural sugars found in honey. So, have this combination instead of eating unhealthy snacks.

Honey does not go well with all the ingredients. So, look for combinations that can enhance the properties of honey and the other ingredients, for a more enjoyable and nutritious experience.

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