Honey is sweet, natural and loved by many. Isn’t it fascinating how bees and flowers create it? You’ll find honey everywhere, from your tea to medical use. But have you ever wondered how long this golden syrup lasts?
Let’s unpack this mystery together. We’ll explore the nutritional value of honey, understand when it could go bad, and examine changes like crystallization. We’ll also talk about proper storage, why it has an expiration date and the health benefits of eating honey.
Honey is mostly made of sugars and water. It does offer some diet benefits! Although mainly offering sugar, it also contains some minerals like potassium, especially in darker types. Plus, honey offers organic acids which give it a sour taste, and some proteins, enzymes, and vitamins found in unfiltered honey pollen.
Ready to delve into the components of honey? Here’s a table to make it simpler:
| Constituents | Percent |
|---|---|
| Sugar | Approximately 80% |
| Water | No more than 18% |
| Organic Acids | Present |
| Proteins, Enzymes, Vitamins | Very small amounts |
From what I have read, honey primarily consists of carbohydrates, which make up about 95-97% of its dry weight. Additionally, it contains various essential components like proteins, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids. Based on its purity, the shelf life can differ for the honey you may use.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Did you know?
Honey lasts a long time because of its makeup. Its high sugar and low water amount, sourness, and special enzymes that stop bacteria from growing help it last.
Honey is mainly sugar and this keeps germs away. This very high pressure stops them from growing. Adding in the fact that oxygen lacks ability to dissolve in honey, germs find it hard to grow there.
Honey is also acidic (pH level of 3.9). Bad bacteria, like E.coli and Salmonella, can’t survive in this sour space. This further ensures honey’s safety from rotting.
Bees add an enzyme while making honey. This enzyme turns sugar into acid, making hydrogen peroxide which has antibacterial properties. Other helpful agents also make their way into honey.
Interested in knowing how these characteristics aid honey’s longevity? Take a look at this table:
| Honey Features Aiding Longevity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| High sugar concentration | Inhibits microbial growth |
| Low moisture content | Prevents microbial activity |
| Acidic nature | Hinders bacteria growth |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Acts as an antibacterial |
Over the years, I have observed that honey may have antimicrobial properties due to its enzymatic glucose oxidation reaction, low pH, high osmotic pressure, and other factors. These properties help restrict the growth of microbes and contribute to its potential antimicrobial effects. It’s worth considering honey as a natural alternative with potential benefits for supporting immune health.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Isn’t it astonishing how honey can last so long? But is it immortal? Sadly, no. There are a few factors that can ruin honey.
Contamination in honey can occur through foreign bodies or additional water, human handling, and issues with storing the honey.
Normally, honey doesn’t give space for germs. However, any foreign matter or extra water can upset this balance. This can trigger germ growth and risk of spoiling.
Other risks can occur during human use and storage that could enable germ growth.
Sunlight or storing honey in warm places can harm its freshness and taste over time.
In store-bought honey, cheap sweeteners and unsafe practices can shorten its lifespan.
Here is a table giving you a glimpse into these risk factors:
| Risk Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Contamination | Introduction of foreign objects or excess water can lead to spoilage |
| Improper storage | Direct sunlight or high temperature can deteriorate honey quality |
| Adulteration | Use of cheaper sweeteners, premature harvesting affects honey’s shelf life |
| Transformation | Description | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Crystallization | Sugars absorb moisture, becoming crystal-like | Doesn’t mean the honey has spoiled |
| Reverse Crystallization | Heating and diluting crystallized honey | Not harmful to consume, purely aesthetic change |
| Storage Guidelines | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Airtight containers | Keeps contaminants away |
| Cool, dry storage | Optimizes honey’s properties |
| Clean utensils | Prevents bacterial or mold contamination |
| Moisture avoidance | Enhances honey’s shelf-life |
Ever wonder why honey has an expiry date? It’s a valid question.
Expiry dates on honey jars are needed by law. They help stores to manage their stock better, ensuring you get fresh honey.
The expiry date is the time till the maker promises freshness. But if it smells and tastes good after this date and has been stored well, you can safely eat it.
Apart from tasting great, did you know honey is good for your health too?
Honey makes hydrogen peroxide and has other elements that stop germs.
Eating honey might help digestion by nurturing the good tummy bugs.
Had a nasty cough or sore throat? Honey has always helped soothe these, making it a home remedy.
Below is a brief overview of these honey health perks:
| Health Benefits of Consuming Honey | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Antibacterial properties | Honey produces hydrogen peroxide |
| Aiding Digestion | Nourishes the good gut bacteria |
| Soothes cough and sore throat | Proven effective for these symptoms |
Also Read: Manuka Honey: Research-Based Insights into Its Unique Health Benefits
Understanding why honey lasts so long is all about its special properties – high sugar, low water, acidity, and antibacterial enzymes. Given these, honey can stay as it is forever.
However, things like contamination, heat, and bad storage can harm its quality. And remember, crystallization is about appearance, not spoiling.
Even with these qualities, honey carries an expiry date. But remember, it’s more a legal step for quality control. And let’s not overlook honey’s health benefits amidst all this!
You should avoid consuming any product that has exceeded its expiry date.
Well, honey doesn’t actually expire. Look for a bad smell, changed taste, or color difference that might suggest it has turned bad.
Due to its long-lasting nature, as long as honey appears and smells fine and is stored well, you can eat it. If the packaging exceeds the expiry date, you should avoid consuming it.
If stored properly, honey can last forever. Ancient Egyptians left us pots of usable honey!
Yes. Bad storage can bring in germs or raise water amount. This might turn honey bad.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Since ancient times, honey has been considered one of the most valued and appreciated food products. It is a natural product formed from the nectar of flowers by honeybees, also called Apis mellifera, belonging to the family Apidae. Honey is the only insect-derived natural product with potential nutritional, therapeutic, cosmetic, and industrial values. Honey might be helpful for several conditions like asthma, throat infection, eye diseases, hiccups, tuberculosis, dizziness, fatigue, piles, hepatitis, and constipation.1
Honey is a sweet, thick fluid produced by bees from plant nectars and is commonly used as a sweetener in food. It has several other names like Clarified Honey, Chestnut Honey, Beri Honey, Blossom Honey, Buckwheat Honey, Honeydew Honey, Madhu, Honig, Jellybush Honey, Manuka Honey, Medihoney, Langnese honey, Miel Blanc, Purified Honey, Tualang Honey, Wildflower and Thyme Honey, and Strained Honey.2
Honey contains the following nutrients:3
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Water | 15.92 % |
| Protein | 0.42 % |
| Fat | 0.53 % |
| Carbohydrate | 88.97 g/100 g |
| Glucose | 37.64 g/100 g |
| Energy | 15.56 MJ/Kg |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.01 mg/100 g |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.02 mg/100 g |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.15 mg/100 g |
| Vitamin B5 | 0.07 g/100 g |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.17 mg/100 g |
| Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) | 0.006 mg/100 g |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | 2.35 mg/100 g |
| Vitamin K | 0.025 mg/100 g |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.03-4 mg/100 g |
| Calcium (Ca) | 3-31 mg/100 g |
| Potassium (K) | 40-3500 mg/100 g |
| Sodium (Na) | 1.6-17 mg/100 g |
| Chlorine (Cl) | 0.4-56 mg/100 g |
| Fluoride (F) | 0.4-1.34 mg/100 g |
| Iodide (I) | 10-100 mg/100 g |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.7-13 mg/100 g |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.02-0.6 mg/100 g |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.05-2 mg/100 g |
Table depicting the nutritional value of honey3
Did you know that honey has been used as a medicine for thousands of years? Stone age paintings provide evidence of its medicinal use dating back 8,000 years. Ancient scrolls, tablets, and books, including Sumerian clay tablets (6,200 BC), Egyptian papyri (1,900–1,250 BC), Veda (5,000 years ago), the Holy Koran, the Bible, and the writings of Hippocrates (460–357 BC), all highlight the widespread and longstanding use of honey as a beneficial substance.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Also Read: Does Honey Expire? Unveiling The Truth About Honey’s Shelf Life
Honey might have several properties including:1
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In my experience, I have observed that honey consists mainly of carbohydrates, making up around 95-97% of its dry weight. However, it’s not just about carbs. Honey also contains essential elements like proteins, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids. All these components work together to provide various health benefits, making honey a remarkable natural remedy.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
The property of honey due to antioxidant activity is related to the brightness of the honey. Darker honey has been found to have a higher value of antioxidants. In studies, the phenolic compounds present in honey are found to be responsible for antioxidant activity. It can be used as a dietary antioxidant.1
Oxidative stress damages the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), also called free radicals, have roles in diabetes, cancer, gastritis, ageing, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and several ulcers. Honey contains antioxidant compounds derived from pollen sources and might have the ability to reduce these oxidative reactions. It might help remove the ROS and may reduce DNA damage.4
Read More: What Are Antioxidants And Why Do We Need Them?
Honey might have the potential to reduce inflammatory responses as seen in cell cultures, animal models, and clinical trials (in humans).1 Mostly, inflammation occurs during the healing process. During the healing process, mild inflammation is considered normal but harmful. It triggers the activity of leukocytes and therefore produces free radicals. Honey contains polyphenols that have the oxidising ability and might provide a subsequent anti-inflammatory effect by reducing nitric oxide production.4
The phenolic content present in honey may be responsible for anti-inflammatory activity. The flavonoids and phenolic compounds present in honey might block the cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase, which are responsible for inflammation.1
Honey contains antioxidants like polyphenols, monophenols, flavonoids, vitamin C that may be linked with a reduced risk of heart failure.1 In a study daily intake of flavonoids was found to be linked with a reduced risk of heart-related diseases. Flavonoids might have some effect on heart-related diseases maybe by improving the blood flow to the heart, lowering blood clotting, and inhibiting low-density lipoprotein from oxidising.5 Heart conditions are serious and must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Therefore, kindly consult a doctor.
In a study, honey used in type 1 and 2 diabetes was found to lower the glycaemic index more (glycaemic index shows how quickly each food affects the blood sugar level) compared with glucose or sucrose used in diabetic patients. There In a study, honey used in type 1 and 2 diabetes might have the potential to lower the glycaemic index more (glycaemic index shows how quickly each food affects the blood sugar level) compared with glucose or sucrose used in diabetic patients. There was a lower rise in plasma glucose levels in diabetic patients given honey compared to diabetic patients given dextrose. It might also lower the blood lipids, homocysteine, and C-reactive protein levels in diabetic patients. Also, it was found that honey might help promote the secretion of insulin, may lower blood glucose levels, might help raise haemoglobin concentration, and might improve the lipid profile.5 Kindly consult a doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions such as diabetes.
Read More: 10 Effective Home Remedies For Diabetes!
The most effective and most studied use of honey might have potential wound healing properties. Applying honey as a wound dressing might help improve the healing process and may help quickly clear the infection. It might have a cleansing action on wounds, may help tissue regeneration, and might lower inflammation.5 However, more research is required.
In traditional medicine,In traditional medicine, the antibacterial activity of honey is one of the most significant findings that was first recognised in 1892. It has been reported that honey might have an inhibitory effect on around 60 species of bacteria, including gram-positive, gram-negative, aerobes (microorganisms that grow in the presence of oxygen), and anaerobes (microorganisms that grow in the absence of oxygen). Honey may act as both bactericidal (kills bacteria) and bacteriostatic (stops bacterial growth) depending on the concentration used.5
Honey is described in a study as a potential effect of acting as a cancer vaccine as it might lower prolonged inflammation which is considered a risk factor for the growth of cancer. Honey might have high antioxidant content, and therefore it might show anticancer activity by stopping the spread of various cancer cells and enhancing the early death of these cancer cells. These cancer cells might include sarcomas, bone cancer, carcinomas, cancer cell lines, experimental cancers, and breast cancer.3 However, cancer is a serious condition and must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
Though there are studies that show the potential uses of honey in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of honey on human health.
Based on my experience, I have observed that honey may offer benefits for neurological diseases. It has shown anxiolytic effects for reducing anxiety and also acts a potential antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and antinociceptive agent. Honey’s ability to reduce oxidative stress in the central nervous system can contribute to improved neurological health.
Dr. Smita Barode, BAMS
Honey can be used:
Your Ayurvedic physician will prescribe you the form and dose as per your requirement.
Also Read: Is Honey Good for Diabetes? Unveiling the Research Behind the Sweet Remedy
Honey is primarily safe for most adults, but if the honey is produced from the nectar of rhododendrons (plant species, also called red tree), then it is relatively unsafe, as it may contain toxins that might cause chest pain, heart problems, and low blood pressure.2
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Therefore, honey should be used cautiously.
Also Read: Manuka Honey: Research-Based Insights into Its Unique Health Benefits
Therefore, kindly consult a doctor and confirm if it is safe for you to consume honey.
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No, applying honey for acne on the face doesn’t treat acne.2
Honey might be helpful for wounds. It might help reduce the pus and odour, may clean the wound, might lower the infection and pain, and may reduce the time for healing.2 However, sufficient scientific evidence is not present. Therefore, ensure that you consult a doctor and get your wounds properly treated. Kindly do not self-medicate.
Applying honey preparations to burns may have the potential to help improve healing.2 However, more research is required. Kindly consult a doctor. Do not self-medicate.
Honey might be used for application directly to the face, and it may help lower the redness.2 However, more research is required to ascertain such possible effects of honey.
Honey is mainly found to be safe in adults, but it can be unsafe if the honey is produced from the nectar of rhododendrons. It may contain toxins that cause chest pain, low blood pressure, and heart problems.2
There is no sufficient data on its safe usage during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using honey during pregnancy.
Avoid giving honey to infants under 12 months of age. It can be given to older children and adults.2
There is insufficient data on its safe usage during breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before using honey during breastfeeding.
Honey may be helpful for constipation.1 However, more research is required to prove such effects. Kindly consult a doctor.
Allergic reactions to honey are rare but can be caused either due to bee protein or pollen in honey.5
1. Samarghandian S, Farkhondeh T, Samini F. Honey and health: A review of recent clinical research. Pharmacognosy Res. 2017;9(2):121–7. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424551/
2. Honey [Internet]. medlinePlus National Library of Medicine. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/738.html
3. Ajibola A. Novel Insights into the Health Importance of Natural Honey. Malays J Med Sci [Internet]. 2015 Sep;22(5):7–22. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5295738/#:~:text=The daily intake of natural,thereby providing succour to patients.
4. Jibril FI, Hilmi ABM, Manivannan L. Isolation and characterization of polyphenols in natural honey for the treatment of human diseases. Bull Natl Res Cent. 2019;43(1). Available at: https://bnrc.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s42269-019-0044-7
5. Eteraf-Oskouei T, Najafi M. Traditional and modern uses of natural honey in human diseases: a review. Iran J Basic Med Sci [Internet]. 2013 Jun;16(6):731–42. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23997898
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Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
