Health & Life

Avoid These Things When Taking Honey

Bees have long been revered for their golden nectar, honey, a natural sweetener with a plethora of benefits. However, folk wisdom suggests that combining honey with certain substances can be detrimental to one's health, and may even cause harm.

Administrator

28 July, 2024

It is believed in traditional medicine that certain foods can either complement or counteract each other. Consuming foods that counteract may lead to adverse reactions in the body, hence the caution against eating them together. Honey, a well-known health food, is one such example, and should not be eaten with the following:

Avoid Honey with Raw Garlic and Onions

Honey has a warm, sweet nature, while garlic and onions are spicy and hot. The combination, according to folk wisdom, can lead to heat accumulation and abdominal distension. It is best to avoid honey with these vegetables, especially in large quantities, as the side effects are dose-dependent.

Similarly, honey should not be paired with shallots, another member of the onion family.

Honey and certain foods may cause harmful reactions — Honey: A Potential Health Hazard When Combined with Certain Foods

Honey: A No-Go with Soy Milk and Tofu

While both soy milk and honey are nutrient-rich, their combination can lead to precipitation and subsequent digestive issues, including abdominal distension and even death. The reaction between enzymes, minerals, and plant proteins in honey and soy can cause toxicity and diarrhea due to the formation of indigestible clumps.

Tofu, being made from soybeans, falls under the same category and should not be consumed with honey. The interaction between minerals, plant proteins, organic acids in tofu, and enzymes in honey can lead to unfavorable biochemical reactions in the body.

Honey and Tofu Pudding: A Recipe for Discomfort

Tofu pudding, or “tào phớ” in Vietnamese, is a soy-based dessert. Its sweet, cooling nature is believed to clear heat and promote blood circulation. However, when paired with honey, it can cause diarrhea due to the biochemical reaction between the enzymes in honey and the minerals, plant proteins, and other components in tofu pudding.

Soybean products and honey: A potentially harmful combination — Soybean Products: A No-Go with Honey

Honey and Carp: A Toxic Combination

Carp is a nutritious fish, but when combined with honey, it can lead to immediate poisoning. In such cases, black beans and licorice are recommended as antidotes.

Honey and Dill: A Potential Gut Bomb

Dill is a herb commonly used as a condiment with fish, and it also has medicinal properties. However, according to folk wisdom, combining honey and dill is not advisable. In practice, dill is usually used in small quantities, which may not be sufficient to cause a significant reaction in the body.

Traditional beliefs, while informative, require further scientific investigation. As a precaution, it is best to avoid excessive consumption of these foods in combination, as it may lead to digestive issues. Additionally, when purchasing honey, ensure it is pure and not adulterated with sugar, as this can negatively impact health by causing rapid increases in blood sugar, weight gain, and accelerated aging.

Honey, despite its health benefits, has a warming nature. Individuals with a “hot” constitution, characterized by warm palms and soles, a tendency to feel hot, heartburn, acid reflux, or other similar symptoms, should consume honey in moderation (1-2 teaspoons per day) or avoid it altogether. Excessive consumption may lead to restlessness, discomfort, chest tightness, and insomnia in these individuals.

Lastly, honey should not be refrigerated, as it tends to crystallize and form solids. Over time, honey may also darken in color compared to fresher batches.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, it is recommended to avoid mixing honey with cooked food or hot drinks as the heat can destroy the enzymes and nutrients present in honey, reducing its nutritional value.

Consuming honey with fruits is not advised as the simple sugars in honey can interfere with the absorption of nutrients from the fruits, hindering their nutritional benefits.

While it is generally safe to add honey to tea or coffee, it is important to ensure that these beverages are not excessively hot, as this can diminish the nutritional properties of honey.

Yes, it is best to avoid consuming honey with fermented or processed foods, as well as foods high in vinegar or spices. These can negatively impact the beneficial bacteria in honey and reduce its effectiveness.

For optimal health benefits, it is suggested to consume raw, unprocessed honey. It can be taken directly or mixed with lukewarm water or milk. Ensuring that honey is not exposed to excessive heat or mixed with certain foods can help preserve its nutritional value.