Short Answer: Honey is good for high cholesterol. Because it has antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic acids and they can lower LDL and increase HDL.
High cholesterol is a condition that affects your blood vessels and heart.
In high cholesterol, your body has too much of a waxy substance called cholesterol in your blood.
This can lead to various health problems, such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
One of the key factors in managing high cholesterol is diet.
What you consume can affect your cholesterol levels, which can impact your high cholesterol symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage high cholesterol, you should consume unsaturated fat rich foods like olive oil, avocados, and nuts, and avoid saturated fat and trans fat rich foods like butter, cheese, and pastries.
Now, honey is a sweet and viscous substance made by bees from the nectar of flowers or the honeydew of aphids.
People usually eat honey as a natural sweetener, spread it on bread, or add it to tea or other beverages.
Honey is good for high cholesterol because it contains antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic acids.
These compounds can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol.
However, honey may not be beneficial for all types of high cholesterol.
For example, people with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition that causes very high LDL levels, may not see any improvement from honey.
One tablespoon of honey can give you about 64 calories, 17 grams of carbohydrates, and 16 grams of sugars.
It does not contain any fat, protein, or fiber.
Antioxidants can protect your blood vessels from oxidative damage and inflammation, which are associated with high cholesterol.
Flavonoids and phenolic acids can modulate the activity of enzymes and receptors involved in cholesterol metabolism and transport, and reduce the formation of plaque in the arteries.
Furthermore, honey is a simple carbohydrate and carbohydrates are good for high cholesterol.
Because, they provide energy for your body and do not raise your cholesterol levels.
However, you should limit your intake of added sugars, such as honey, to no more than 10% of your daily calories, according to the American Heart Association.
Too much sugar can increase your triglycerides, another type of fat in your blood that can increase your risk of heart disease.
You can eat one to two tablespoons of honey per day safely.
More than that can cause weight gain, tooth decay, and high blood sugar.
Also, you shouldn’t eat honey if you have diabetes or prediabetes to prevent high blood sugar spikes.
Because, honey has a high glycemic index, which means it can raise your blood sugar quickly.
You can buy fresh honey in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose raw, unfiltered, and organic honey.
Because, it has more antioxidants, enzymes, and nutrients than processed honey.
You can store honey in a cool, dry, and dark place for up to two years.
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Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing high cholesterol effectively.
I always recommend my high cholesterol patients to follow a high cholesterol-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.
