Honey is a nutritious food, a crystallization of nature. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and packed with antioxidants. However, combining honey with certain foods can have negative effects on your health.
Honey should not be consumed with raw onion or garlic
Traditional wisdom suggests that honey and raw onion or garlic don’t mix well together as it can increase body heat. Onion and garlic have a spicy and hot nature, with a dispersing quality, while honey is sweet and also warming. According to ancient beliefs, combining these qualities can lead to internal heat and discomfort. If, by chance, this combination causes any toxicity, a decoction of licorice can be consumed as an antidote.
Honey and Soybean Milk: Not a Good Mix
Soybean milk and honey are both popular health drinks, often consumed for an energy boost and their nutritional benefits. However, when mixed together, they can cause digestive issues and abdominal discomfort. Excessive consumption of this mixture may lead to a reaction between the enzymes, minerals, and plant proteins in honey and soybean milk, resulting in toxicity and diarrhea due to the formation of insoluble complexes.
In case of accidental ingestion of this mixture and subsequent adverse effects, inducing vomiting is recommended to expel the contents from the stomach. If the condition persists or worsens, seek medical attention immediately.
Honey and Onion: A Harmful Combination
Honey and onion are considered incompatible. When combined, the organic acids and enzymes in honey may react with the sulfur-containing amino acids in onions, leading to harmful chemical reactions or the production of toxic compounds. This can cause stomach irritation, diarrhea, or even poisoning.
Honey and Tofu Pudding: A Potential Health Hazard
Tofu pudding, also known as douhua or tofu fa, is a soy-based dessert. Similar to the soybean milk and honey combination, mixing honey with tofu pudding can lead to digestive issues and diarrhea. The enzymes in honey and the plant proteins and minerals in tofu pudding may undergo unfavorable biochemical reactions when combined.
Honey and Tofu: Not a Healthy Match
While both honey and tofu offer nutritional benefits, they should not be combined. Tofu, being a soy product, contains plant proteins, organic acids, and minerals that can react with the enzymes in honey, leading to biochemical reactions that may be detrimental to health.
Honey and Carp: A Toxic Combination
Carp and honey are both valued natural foods, but traditional wisdom cautions against their combination. In case of accidental ingestion, black beans and licorice can be used as antidotes to counteract any toxic effects.
Honey and Lovage: A Potential Risk to Liver Health
Lovage, a culinary herb, should not be consumed with honey as it may cause liver damage. This combination is not recommended and may lead to adverse health effects.
Ancient people were meticulous about food combinations, and while not all of these beliefs may hold true in modern times, it is important to exercise caution when consuming these foods together. Additionally, always source your honey from reliable suppliers to avoid adulterated honey, which can have adverse health effects, such as rapid increases in blood sugar levels, 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, frequent episodes of feeling hot-headed, heartburn, or acid reflux, should consume honey in moderation, limiting intake to 1-2 teaspoons per day for 2-3 days when necessary. Excessive consumption may lead to restlessness, discomfort, chest tightness, and insomnia.
Lastly, honey should not be refrigerated as it tends to crystallize and form solids. Over time, honey may darken in color, which is a natural occurrence and does not indicate spoilage.