Honey has long been known for its delicious taste and wonderful health benefits. From aiding digestion to boosting the immune system, honey is widely used in many dishes and drinks. However, not everyone knows that combining honey with certain foods can cause unwanted effects. Let’s learn about some foods to consider when combining with honey to ensure health safety.

Honey is a precious gift from nature, bringing many health benefits. However, to make the most of these benefits, you need to know how to combine honey properly. This article will help you discover some foods to consider when combining with honey to ensure health safety and maximize the effects of this food.

Below are some foods you should consider when combining with honey.

Honey and hot water

One of the common mistakes that many people make is mixing honey with hot water. Although honey can dissolve in water, when the water is too hot, it can destroy important enzymes and active ingredients in honey.

According to a 2010 study published in the AYU Journal of Ayurveda, when honey is heated to temperatures above 60°C, the enzymes in honey will be destroyed, reducing its nutritional value. In particular, if honey is overheated, it can release 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a substance that can be harmful to health if consumed in excess. Therefore, when mixing honey with water, the ideal temperature should not exceed 40°C to ensure that the enzymes in honey still work effectively.

You should limit mixing honey in hot water to prevent harmful substances.

Honey and Garlic

Combining honey with garlic can cause indigestion or increase digestive problems in some people, especially those with weak digestive systems or who are allergic to garlic. Garlic has strong antibacterial properties, when garlic is soaked in honey it can affect the body’s ability to digest, causing phenomena such as bloating, indigestion or diarrhea.

Honey and Cucumber

Cucumber is a vegetable with cooling and diuretic properties. When combined with honey, cucumber can increase its diuretic properties and cause digestive problems. Cucumber when combined with honey can reduce the ability to absorb nutrients from other foods and cause bloating and flatulence. Moreover, this combination can increase the risk of skin problems such as acne or allergies.

Cucumbers are among the foods to consider when combining with honey.

Honey and Ghee

Ghee is a clarified butter that is popular in Ayurveda for its digestive and health benefits. However, combining honey with ghee can cause adverse health reactions.

A study published in Toxicology Reports in 2020 found that this combination is incompatible and can lead to health problems such as weight loss, hair loss, or skin reactions (such as redness or itching) when consumed in inappropriate proportions.

Honey and meat, fish

Honey is not suitable when combined with protein-rich foods such as meat and fish. When combined with these foods, honey can slow down the digestion process, causing a feeling of heaviness and bloating. Meat and fish contain high amounts of protein, which when digested in combination with honey, can create an unfavorable environment for the digestive system, leading to problems such as indigestion or bloating.

Honey and Sweet Fruits

Fruits that are naturally sweet, such as pineapple, mango, or grapes, when combined with honey, can increase blood sugar levels, especially for people with diabetes or at risk of diabetes. Combining these fruits with honey will significantly increase the amount of fructose and glucose, easily leading to increased blood sugar.

Honey and fried foods

Honey when combined with fried or deep-fried foods can cause some unwanted digestive reactions. These foods already contain a lot of fat, when combined with honey, can cause indigestion or make the stomach feel heavy. Fried foods are often high in calories and fat, so combining them with honey can lead to indigestion and reduce the ability to absorb nutrients from other foods.

Limit the use of honey with fried foods to prevent indigestion.

There are some foods that you should consider when combining with honey, as they can reduce the effects of honey or cause digestive and health problems. Always pay attention to the foods listed in the article to ensure your health and maintain a reasonable diet.