Health & Life

The 3 Honey Consumption Mistakes that 99% of Vietnamese Make.

"Beware of These Common Mistakes: How Drinking Honey Water Can Adversely Affect Your Health."

1 September, 2024

Don’t Consume Excessive Honey at Once

Honey naturally contains high levels of sugar, so consuming too much at once can lead to weight gain and diabetes. Thus, it is recommended to use only 2-3 teaspoons of honey when preparing a drink. Excessive honey intake can spike blood sugar levels due to its rich carbohydrate content.

Additionally, overconsumption of honey may result in bloating or diarrhea as the body struggles to digest large amounts of sugar at once. Therefore, refrain from drinking excessive amounts of honey to avoid potential health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular problems, and diabetes.

Common mistakes when drinking honey — Common Mistakes When Drinking Honey

Don’t Mix Honey with Hot Water

One serious mistake often made by many Vietnamese is mixing honey with hot water. This practice not only alters the taste of honey but also destroys many of its beneficial nutrients.

Honey contains a large amount of oxidation solvents, and mixing it with hot water can cause these solvents to break down, potentially producing OH-substituted aldehydes and significantly altering honey’s nutritional composition. Additionally, consuming very hot liquids can increase the risk of throat cancer, which is a prevalent issue in Vietnam.

Mistakes when drinking honey can lead to health issues — Mistakes When Drinking Honey Can Lead to Health Issues

Don’t Give Honey to Children Under One Year Old

It is dangerous to give honey to infants under one year old. Their digestive and liver detoxification functions are not yet fully developed, allowing botulinum to easily penetrate the intestinal wall and cause poisoning.

Even after infants turn one year old, parents should still provide honey in appropriate doses. Therefore, it is crucial to refrain from giving honey to children under one to protect their health. Additionally, honey’s high sugar content can affect a child’s digestion and cause indigestion.

Frequently asked questions

There are three main mistakes that 99% of Vietnamese people make when it comes to honey consumption. Firstly, they dip the honey bottle in hot water, believing that it will make the honey easier to consume. Secondly, they add honey to boiling water, thinking that it will improve their health. Lastly, they consume honey with fruits or fruit juice, which can actually reduce the health benefits of honey.

Dipping the honey bottle in hot water can affect the quality and nutritional value of honey. When honey is exposed to high temperatures, it can lose its beneficial enzymes and antioxidants, reducing its therapeutic properties.

Adding honey to boiling water can destroy the honey’s natural enzymes and nutrients. It is always best to add honey to warm or room-temperature water to preserve its health benefits.

Fruits and fruit juices contain enzymes that can interfere with the absorption of honey’s nutrients. Additionally, the natural sugars in fruits can cause the honey to ferment, altering its taste and potentially reducing its shelf life.

To maximize the health benefits of honey, it is recommended to consume it in its raw, unprocessed form. Eat a teaspoon of honey on its own, or add it to warm water or herbal tea. You can also use honey as a natural sweetener in smoothies or yogurt, but avoid exposing it to high temperatures during preparation.