Health for All says
In recent years, honey water has become highly sought after for its many health benefits. However, not everyone is suitable for drinking honey water. As an experienced old Chinese medicine practitioner, I have summarized the following four groups of people and advised them to drink honey water with caution.
The first category is those with spleen and stomach deficiency. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that honey is sweet and cold, has the effect of clearing heat and moisturizing dryness, and is suitable for people with symptoms of fire or heat in the body. However, for people with spleen and stomach deficiency, drinking honey water may further harm the function of the spleen and stomach, leading to problems such as indigestion and loss of appetite. Therefore, it is best for people with spleen and stomach deficiency to consult a doctor or TCM practitioner before drinking honey water.
The second category is diabetics. Honey water contains a lot of glucose and fructose, which are quickly converted to glucose after breakdown and cause blood sugar to rise. For people with diabetes, drinking honey water may cause blood sugar fluctuations, increasing the risk of diabetes. Therefore, diabetic patients should avoid or reduce the consumption of honey water to avoid adverse effects on their health.
The third category is people with allergies. Honey contains a variety of proteins, pollen, and nectar that can trigger allergic reactions. Therefore, people who are prone to allergies, especially those who are allergic to bees, drinking honey water may aggravate allergy symptoms, such as itching, red eyes, etc. Before drinking honey water, it is advisable for such people to take an allergy test to confirm whether they are suitable for drinking.
The fourth category is infants and young children. There is a bacterium called nectar spores in honey, which may produce toxins in the intestines of infants and young children, causing beeswax disease in infants, manifested by symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, during the feeding of infants and young children, they should be avoided from drinking honey water to ensure their health and safety.
In summary, despite the many health benefits of honey water, it is not suitable for all people. For people with spleen and stomach deficiency, diabetics, allergies, and infants, drinking honey water may pose certain health risks. Therefore, before drinking honey water, we should fully understand our physical condition, follow the appropriate principles, and consult professional guidance to ensure safe drinking.
Health References:
1.Gu Xinhua, Zhang Peiming, Xue Chuanfu, et al. Study on the properties and efficacy of honey[J].Science and Technology of Food Industry, 2011 (3): 366-369