Cash and honey. Is diabetes a reason to give up honey?

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On 2020 June 29

Honey is a medicine, a food, a dessert and a snack. Recently, its consumption has been increasing, which often raises questions as to whether it is safe to consume in the context of various illnesses. Today we will discuss whether pancreas and honey have a positive effect on each other, whether diabetes and honey are compatible and share some folk recipes.

What is a pancreas?

The pancreas is a human gland and a very important one. Although it is relatively small, when it malfunctions, the functioning of the whole body is affected. The pancreas is responsible for several functions in the human body. The two main ones are the production of digestive enzymes and the production and release of insulin into the bloodstream. As the pancreatic digestive enzymes help to digest all food substances (proteins, fats and carbohydrates), if this function is impaired, food is not digested normally, which is not only dangerous for health but also for life.

Insulin is important because it helps glucose in the bloodstream and absorbed from the digestive tract to enter the cells and provide energy. A disruption in the supply of energy to a cell is the equivalent of a disruption in the supply of petrol to an engine - you won't get far. So the pancreas is no joke.

Pancreatic diseases

Diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis are among the most common pancreatic diseases.

Diabetes and honey.

In diabetes, insulin is unable to help the blood glucose enter the tissues, either because of insufficient levels or because it is resistant to it. Unfortunately, sweet blood is not desirable in our body. Over time, small blood vessels are damaged and tissue necrosis, a diabetic foot or even amputation of a limb is possible. One of the main methods of treating diabetes (type 2) is a healthy lifestyle - diet and sport. Since the diet is very low in fast carbohydrates, honey is often discouraged.

However, the pancreas is Honey not only do not interfere with each other, but even help each other. Honey is the subject of ongoing research to discover the full range of its therapeutic powers and its effects on a wide range of diseases. Diabetes is no exception. It has been discovered that, despite the fact that Honey It is an almost pure carbohydrate, with a composition so extraordinary that it even helps to lower blood glucose levels and is a much healthier and more tolerable alternative to sugar than various sweeteners. Read more about it in our post "Composition of honey".

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an insidious disease. Inflammation of the pancreas has a huge impact on pancreatic function. Especially if it is acute. Therefore, honey should only be recommended in this case after consulting a doctor. As honey helps the pancreas to function in the post-acute and healing period, it is quite often recommended, but in the acute period it should be avoided.

How do the pancreas and honey "make friends"?

The actual mechanisms of how they work together are not fully understood, but a number of studies have already confirmed that honey lowers blood glucose and increases insulin levels to help control the well-being of people with diabetes. Moreover, honey has a profound effect on the good bacteria in the intestines on which the health of the entire human body depends.

As honey is high in simple carbohydrates, it requires far fewer digestive enzymes to digest it than sugar, which makes the pancreas more efficient and less fatigued. If we combine this with a lower fat content, digestion becomes smoother.

We also recently wrote about gastric acidity and the beneficial effects of honey reducing symptoms of heartburn, so honey has a positive effect on the whole digestive tract and beyond.

Cash and honey. Folk recipes to maintain its health

Garlic with honey

Crush a clove of garlic with honey and take just under a teaspoon in the morning before meals. Folk medicine says it helps boost immunity by increasing tissue regeneration. The pancreas is no exception.

Burdock juice with honey

Mixing a glass of burdock leaf juice with a few forks of honey is said to produce a miracle drink. Just a couple of spoonfuls 30 minutes before meals three times a day not only improves appetite, but also helps to eliminate toxins and has a strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect on all body systems, but especially the digestive organs.

Glass of warm milk with honey

It turns out that this favourite "cure for the common cold" can also help our pancreas. It is recommended to drink this milk in the morning and not to eat for about four hours afterwards. After a week, you should feel better and the feeling of heaviness should disappear.

Honey and the pancreas don't really mix, so you shouldn't be afraid to consume it because of its high carbohydrate content. However, moderation is important here, as well as medical advice if you suffer from any gastrointestinal and especially liver disease.