Honey: the eatable yellow gold! What makes it special? Is it healthy or is this an advertising myth?

Which is honey’s nutritional value?

Honey can be categorized as a carbohydrate. It mainly consists of glucose and fructose, but it also contains significant amounts of minerals and vitamins. In particular, honey is rich in vitamin C, folate, riboflavin (8% GDA), niacin, Vitamin B6, pantothenic acid,  betaine and while considering the minerals, it contains significant amounts of manganese, iron, zinc, copper, potassium, phosphorous, calcium and selenium. This last one’s appearance in honey, consists one of the major arguments of those who suggest that honey has also antioxidant effects.

Taking into account the calories as well, one table spoon (about 30 grams) gives approximately 90 kcals. In my opinion, this is fair enough compared to sugar that gives 11 kcals per 2 grams and it does not support your organism with all the micronutrients as referred above.

Maria Toumpi, Msc

Clinical Nutritionist - Dietitian