Honey & Sugar: Dissimilar?

August 9, 2021 by admin8
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6

Honey and Sugar: Are They Really Dissimilar?

Honey and sugar – brief bio

Both honey and sugar consist of approximately similar amounts of glucose and fructose. Glucose and fructose are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Sucrose is different from these 2 in that it must be broken down first before being absorbed into the blood stream. Glucose is used for energy or stored as glycogen. Fructose is converted to glucose or stored as fat.

However, one of the biggest differences is that with honey, the two molecules, glucose and fructose, are separate and not bound together. Honey is comprised of primarily monosaccharides. Mono means one, saccharide means sugar. On the other hand, sugar consists of primarily a disaccharide (di meaning two types of sugars, joined together), which is sucrose. Sucrose has the same glucose and fructose that one can find in honey, but the glucose and fructose are chemically bound together.

In summary, Glucose and Fructose are absorbed directly into the bloodstream whereas Sucrose must be broken down first before being absorbed into the blood stream.

Are they digested differently by the body?

Let’s consider what happens when we digest these types of carbohydrates? Both monosaccharides and disaccharides eventually become the same thing—that’s because disaccharides and polysaccharides (even more complex sugar chains) digest and break down into individual sugars, or monosaccharides. When we consume honey, we get glucose and fructose. When we eat sugar, we get sucrose. Ultimately, they both, honey and sugar, produce the same outcome saccharides, though the time taken to make both usable might vary little bit.

Both result in blood sugar surge in a similar fashion. They have glycemic indices that aren’t significantly different.

The sugars in honey and cane sugar are digested and metabolized in different areas of the body, though. The sucrose in sugar requires an enzyme located in the small intestine, to digest it and break down the bonded sugars into separate and more readily-available fructose and glucose. From there, the glucose can be released into the bloodstream to be used directly by your cells for energy, while the fructose must first be converted into glucose—some of that conversion happens in the small intestine, and some in the liver. In honey’s case, the fructose and glucose are already separated, and don’t require enzyme digestion, but the fructose still has to wait until it reaches the small intestine to be converted to glucose, or released to the liver for conversion. Therefore, someone who is an athlete might get a faster shot of readily usable energy from saccharides when he or she consumes honey compared to when sugar is consumed.

In summary, not really…they aren’t digested very differently by the body; they both, sugar and honey, produce the same output saccharides.

Is there an advantage of choosing honey over sugar?

Perhaps, yes; if we consider raw honey. To understand it further, let’s dwell on what else is present in honey that might elevate its status above sugar as something whose health benefits might surpass its other effects as a saccharide on saccharide metabolism system.

  • Antibacterial and antiviral properties: It comes from bees. Nectar from flowers is ingested and processed using gut bacteria of the bees. The outcome of this is stored the honeycombs. This is what is harvested for use as honey, as we know it. Honey contains natural antibacterial enzymes, including one that actually produces hydrogen peroxide. That’s why honey is being studied for its ability to boost the immune system when dealing with bacterial or viral infections.
  • Enzymes and probiotics: Bees themselves have been found to possess an impressive array of beneficial bacteria within their little bee guts, and these probiotic bacteria can also be found in honey and may help proliferate lactic acid bacteria found in human gut, along with various enzymes that may aid in digestion.
  • Oligosaccharides and gut health: Though the sugars in honey are primarily monosaccharides glucose and fructose, there are also some more complex sugar chains known as oligosaccharides that are present in honey. These sugars may be responsible for some of honey’s benefits, as they have been shown to have prebiotic activity which may have an effect on gut health.
  • Vitamins and minerals:A small number of vitamins and minerals are found in honey, though, their actual quantity may be quite small compared to what needs to be actually consumes as per recommended dietary allowance. This, however, is an added advantage.
  • Antioxidant properties: Honey contains polyphenols, which are a class of antioxidants that are thought to reduce the risk of several chronic disorders by neutralizing free radicals that cause oxidative stress in the human body. Regular consumption of honey can potentially increase levels of beneficial polyphenols in the blood.
  • Usefulness as a humectant/moisturizer upon topical use: Honey is an effective natural humectant – a natural moisturizing agent that has remarkable properties to promote skin glow and moisture levels.

In summary, other than taste, there are other potentially compelling health benefits of honey as well as discernible nutritional value that make it a great candidate as replacement of other processed and highly refined sugars.


8 comments

  • delta 8 THC

    July 3, 2021 at 2:53 am

    I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your site.

    It seems like some of the written text within your posts are
    running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too?
    This may be a problem with my internet browser because
    I’ve had this happen before. Thanks

    Reply

    • admin

      July 13, 2021 at 9:10 pm

      Thank you for stopping by. The IT team confirms there are no such issues identified by them so far.

      Reply

  • Abdul Rahim

    December 7, 2021 at 11:37 am

    Great work! This is the type of info that are supposed to be shared around the net. Shame on Google for now not
    positioning this post upper! Come on over and discuss with my site . Thank you =)

    Reply

  • gernek

    January 14, 2022 at 7:54 am

    It is very impressive, i enjoyed and liked the site. thank you

    Reply

  • Zygmunt Solorz

    July 2, 2022 at 9:08 pm

    Please email me with any hints on how you made your site look this awesome, I would be appreciative!

    Reply

  • Jean Michelle

    August 23, 2022 at 9:40 am

    Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be interesting to read articles from other authors and use a little something from their sites.

    Reply

  • Victoria Agnel

    August 27, 2022 at 4:32 am

    I must thank you for the efforts youve put in writing this site. I really hope to check out the same high-grade content from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own site now 😉

    Reply

  • zoritoler imol

    September 11, 2022 at 6:05 am

    I am now not certain the place you are getting your info, however great topic. I must spend some time learning more or working out more. Thank you for wonderful information I was in search of this information for my mission.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Sign up for our newsletter and special offers



    By subscribing you agree to receive our newsletter and related offers


    Accreditation | Recognition

    Dun & Bradstreet, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, offers information on commercial credit as well as reports on businesses. Most notably, it is recognizable for its Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS numbers); these generate business information reports for companies around the globe. Click here to view listing.


    Bisnode is a company that offers decision support in the form of digital business, marketing and credit information. Founded in 1989, Bisnode is now a Dun & Bradstreet company. Bisnode is present in 19 European countries and has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Click here to view listing.


    Disclaimer: Content of this website is for information purposes only. Some of the images/videos could be solely for representation purposes. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles and other content. No content on this site or on any of HealthySpan’s social media handles, regardless of date, including but not limited to, live fitness sessions etc., should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor, other qualified clinician or a certified fitness trainer. HealthySpan Wellness does not claim to treat any disease nor does it claim that any organic nutrition or any other aspects narrated can do so. Appropriate lifestyle habit modifications are not a substitute for medical treatment. However, HealthySpan Wellness believes lifestyle disorders viz. obesity or other obesity-related disorders can be effectively managed by positive changes to lifestyle habits, viz., diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep, developing a positive mental attitude. No one can guarantee different individuals will have same results. Individual experiences with the wellness programs may vary. Please read ‘Terms and conditions of use’ and ‘Privacy policy’ for further information.

    HS_Logo_White

    Lifestyle disorders are in epidemic proportions now. It is time, we recognize this monster we are up against as a society and take some manifest and decisive actions. This monster affects us all - prematurely in many cases, shortening healthy life span & productivity. Many of us are, living long –long life attributable to significant strides made in modern medicine. However, for many, the years in the long life are devoid of optimal health. At HealthySpan Wellness, we are resolute in our determination to confront this menace through our holistic wellness programs such as healthy weight loss program, that provide assistance in fighting such lifestyle disorders.

    Recent Articles

    Copyright © 2020 - 2021 HealthySpan Wellness Private Limited. All Rights Reserved. The HealthySpan word mark is a registered trademark of HealthySpan Wellness Private Limited in India and other countries. The HealthySpan with Device of “HS” is a registered trademark of HealthySpan Wellness Private Limited in India. Use of this Site is subject to express terms and conditions of use. By using this site, you proclaim that you agree to be bound by these Universal Terms and Conditions of Use.