Does honey have to be raw to be healthy?
mtdb8
Posts: 65 Member
I've always heard of the benefits of honey. But does as that mean any honey or just raw honey?.
If it just means raw honey I'll likely skip honey all together. Raw honey makes my throat itch and I can't stop coughing when I have it. It's not healthy for me.
If it just means raw honey I'll likely skip honey all together. Raw honey makes my throat itch and I can't stop coughing when I have it. It's not healthy for me.
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Replies
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What benefits have you heard? It's just a sweetener. If you are allergic to raw honey, yeah, don't use it.12
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The benefit of honey is that it makes things sweeter. It doesn't have to be raw in order to do that.7
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I think you are allergic to honey. This is very dangerous for you and I suggest you avoid it altogether. I suspect you have a pollen allergy and it might be worthwhile to go for testing to find out what you are allergic to.
As for the relative benefits of all the sweeteners, they all have the same effect on the body. Because of your allergy I suggest you sweeten with table sugar if you need the calories or an artificial sweetener if you don’t.12 -
I've always heard of the benefits of honey. But does as that mean any honey or just raw honey?.
If it just means raw honey I'll likely skip honey all together. Raw honey makes my throat itch and I can't stop coughing when I have it. It's not healthy for me.
People will tell you anything is healthy to sell you things.
No one food is healthy, it is your total diet that matters.8 -
The only medical benefit for honey is soothing sore throats.
Other considerations: it is sweeter than white sugar, so you can use less. If are you are careful to buy from a local producer, you can support a small business, something that's harder to do with white sugar. (Though if you buy a major honey brand, it's probably imported.)
The whole "local honey to fight seasonal allergies" thing isn't true. In fact it can trigger allergies.4 -
I've always heard of the benefits of honey. But does as that mean any honey or just raw honey?.
If it just means raw honey I'll likely skip honey all together. Raw honey makes my throat itch and I can't stop coughing when I have it. It's not healthy for me.
Peanuts are not healthy for people who go into anaphylactic shock after eating them. Ditto for honey. If it makes your throat itch, that's a good indicator you shouldn't eat it! You might want to talk to your doctor about an allergist referral or an EpiPen. Allergic reactions can escalate quickly.4 -
I do have a pollen allergy. It's a fact. Processed supermarket honey doesnt have any effect on me. No pollen I guess. Thanks. I'll stick to supermarket honey6
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Honey, whether raw or otherwise, is not inherently "healthy" or "unhealthy". Like any other food, it depends upon its context and dosage within your overall diet.3
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I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.12
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I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.4 -
I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.
I am not talking about a serious allergy like me getting stung by a bee, it takes me a week to finish swelling. I wouldn't go get stung to desensitize my allergy. I am talking about getting a runny nose when a plant blooms. If a desensitization via doctors shots work I see no reason the bee honey from local pollen wouldn't work too. That is just speculation on my part but if someone wants to try it I see no risk other than running out of tissues.15 -
I think you are allergic to honey. This is very dangerous for you and I suggest you avoid it altogether. I suspect you have a pollen allergy and it might be worthwhile to go for testing to find out what you are allergic to.
As for the relative benefits of all the sweeteners, they all have the same effect on the body. Because of your allergy I suggest you sweeten with table sugar if you need the calories or an artificial sweetener if you don’t.
Agree 100%. Just wanted to add that there are nice sweeteners out there that will add a little flavor if that is why you are using the honey. I love maple syrup (the real stuff, not pancake syrup) and use demerara sugar in my tea because it still has a tiny amount of the molasses in it that gives my tea a good flavor.1 -
I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.
I am not talking about a serious allergy like me getting stung by a bee, it takes me a week to finish swelling. I wouldn't go get stung to desensitize my allergy. I am talking about getting a runny nose when a plant blooms. If a desensitization via doctors shots work I see no reason the bee honey from local pollen wouldn't work too. That is just speculation on my part but if someone wants to try it I see no risk other than running out of tissues.
You don’t see a risk in recommending that a person do something that might make them sick, and does not have any proven benefits? Eating honey is not the same thing as getting prescribed allergy shots under medical supervision, after undergoing appropriate testing.10 -
I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.
I am not talking about a serious allergy like me getting stung by a bee, it takes me a week to finish swelling. I wouldn't go get stung to desensitize my allergy. I am talking about getting a runny nose when a plant blooms. If a desensitization via doctors shots work I see no reason the bee honey from local pollen wouldn't work too. That is just speculation on my part but if someone wants to try it I see no risk other than running out of tissues.
Considering that allergy response can increase in intensity with each exposure and can be unpredictable, I can see plenty of potential harm in following your suggestion.10 -
nutmegoreo wrote: »I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.
I am not talking about a serious allergy like me getting stung by a bee, it takes me a week to finish swelling. I wouldn't go get stung to desensitize my allergy. I am talking about getting a runny nose when a plant blooms. If a desensitization via doctors shots work I see no reason the bee honey from local pollen wouldn't work too. That is just speculation on my part but if someone wants to try it I see no risk other than running out of tissues.
Considering that allergy response can increase in intensity with each exposure and can be unpredictable, I can see plenty of potential harm in following your suggestion.
I agree completely. My niece has what used to be a mild oral allergy to strawberries (she'd get a rash around her mouth) that has progressed to the point now her throat starts swelling shut with even the smallest cross-contamination of foods containing strawberry.9 -
I think you are allergic to honey. This is very dangerous for you and I suggest you avoid it altogether. I suspect you have a pollen allergy and it might be worthwhile to go for testing to find out what you are allergic to.
As for the relative benefits of all the sweeteners, they all have the same effect on the body. Because of your allergy I suggest you sweeten with table sugar if you need the calories or an artificial sweetener if you don’t.
Agree 100%. Just wanted to add that there are nice sweeteners out there that will add a little flavor if that is why you are using the honey. I love maple syrup (the real stuff, not pancake syrup) and use demerara sugar in my tea because it still has a tiny amount of the molasses in it that gives my tea a good flavor.
And I'm loving blackstrap molasses in my oatmeal these days: So delicious, and meaningful amounts of iron and potassium, besides. (I'm finding brand matters, though: Some just taste like burnt stuff, but the good ones have a rich/complicated flavor.)3 -
I think you are allergic to honey. This is very dangerous for you and I suggest you avoid it altogether. I suspect you have a pollen allergy and it might be worthwhile to go for testing to find out what you are allergic to.
As for the relative benefits of all the sweeteners, they all have the same effect on the body. Because of your allergy I suggest you sweeten with table sugar if you need the calories or an artificial sweetener if you don’t.
Agree 100%. Just wanted to add that there are nice sweeteners out there that will add a little flavor if that is why you are using the honey. I love maple syrup (the real stuff, not pancake syrup) and use demerara sugar in my tea because it still has a tiny amount of the molasses in it that gives my tea a good flavor.
And I'm loving blackstrap molasses in my oatmeal these days: So delicious, and meaningful amounts of iron and potassium, besides. (I'm finding brand matters, though: Some just taste like burnt stuff, but the good ones have a rich/complicated flavor.)
Have you ever used sorghum? I generally use it in any recipe that calls for molasses1 -
nutmegoreo wrote: »I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.
I am not talking about a serious allergy like me getting stung by a bee, it takes me a week to finish swelling. I wouldn't go get stung to desensitize my allergy. I am talking about getting a runny nose when a plant blooms. If a desensitization via doctors shots work I see no reason the bee honey from local pollen wouldn't work too. That is just speculation on my part but if someone wants to try it I see no risk other than running out of tissues.
Considering that allergy response can increase in intensity with each exposure and can be unpredictable, I can see plenty of potential harm in following your suggestion.
Exactly. My formaldehyde allergy used to just mean mild itching. I discovered just how intense it became 2 years ago when my favorite previously formaldehyde free nail polish added it back in (in resin form which is supposed to be safer) and I broke out in huge hives all over my face, neck, and upper chest. No breathing difficulties but that could be next time.3 -
I think you are allergic to honey. This is very dangerous for you and I suggest you avoid it altogether. I suspect you have a pollen allergy and it might be worthwhile to go for testing to find out what you are allergic to.
As for the relative benefits of all the sweeteners, they all have the same effect on the body. Because of your allergy I suggest you sweeten with table sugar if you need the calories or an artificial sweetener if you don’t.
Agree 100%. Just wanted to add that there are nice sweeteners out there that will add a little flavor if that is why you are using the honey. I love maple syrup (the real stuff, not pancake syrup) and use demerara sugar in my tea because it still has a tiny amount of the molasses in it that gives my tea a good flavor.
And I'm loving blackstrap molasses in my oatmeal these days: So delicious, and meaningful amounts of iron and potassium, besides. (I'm finding brand matters, though: Some just taste like burnt stuff, but the good ones have a rich/complicated flavor.)
Have you ever used sorghum? I generally use it in any recipe that calls for molasses
Not yet. I may look into it, on your recommendation . . . but I love molasses so, soo much! (And maple syrup.) I don't use lots of either, though, so even the bottle of molasses lasts a long time at 20-grams-ish a day.
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I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.
I am not talking about a serious allergy like me getting stung by a bee, it takes me a week to finish swelling. I wouldn't go get stung to desensitize my allergy. I am talking about getting a runny nose when a plant blooms. If a desensitization via doctors shots work I see no reason the bee honey from local pollen wouldn't work too. That is just speculation on my part but if someone wants to try it I see no risk other than running out of tissues.
You don’t see a risk in recommending that a person do something that might make them sick, and does not have any proven benefits? Eating honey is not the same thing as getting prescribed allergy shots under medical supervision, after undergoing appropriate testing.
I am sorry if someone in this thread said they are extremely allergic to honey, if they did I missed that. I would never suggest someone with a honey allergy to ingest honey. I was only commenting that I know several people that feel that eating local bee honey helps them with pollen allergies only. I also have no idea if it is effective but if desensitization shots work for some allergies than it sounds possible that small dose exposure to the pollen in bee honey may work too. Eating honey made with the same pollen that makes your nose run is hardly going to make them sick anymore than walking outside and probably less so.11 -
I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.
I am not talking about a serious allergy like me getting stung by a bee, it takes me a week to finish swelling. I wouldn't go get stung to desensitize my allergy. I am talking about getting a runny nose when a plant blooms. If a desensitization via doctors shots work I see no reason the bee honey from local pollen wouldn't work too. That is just speculation on my part but if someone wants to try it I see no risk other than running out of tissues.
You don’t see a risk in recommending that a person do something that might make them sick, and does not have any proven benefits? Eating honey is not the same thing as getting prescribed allergy shots under medical supervision, after undergoing appropriate testing.
I am sorry if someone in this thread said they are extremely allergic to honey, if they did I missed that. I would never suggest someone with a honey allergy to ingest honey. I was only commenting that I know several people that feel that eating local bee honey helps them with pollen allergies only. I also have no idea if it is effective but if desensitization shots work for some allergies than it sounds possible that small dose exposure to the pollen in bee honey may work too. Eating honey made with the same pollen that makes your nose run is hardly going to make them sick anymore than walking outside and probably less so.
You need to read the other replies. Your response completely misses the point.5 -
I avoid honey, it may taste good, but it’s bee vomit, which is pretty gross when you think about it... so I stopped using it. I only use maple syrup for anything I need to sweeten it works just as great and I don’t get grossed out when I think about it coming from a tree lol hope that helps.23
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rebekahbagnall210 wrote: »I avoid honey, it may taste good, but it’s bee vomit, which is pretty gross when you think about it... so I stopped using it. I only use maple syrup for anything I need to sweeten it works just as great and I don’t get grossed out when I think about it coming from a tree lol hope that helps.
Yeah, boiled-down tree blood is pretty good, too. 23 -
rebekahbagnall210 wrote: »I avoid honey, it may taste good, but it’s bee vomit, which is pretty gross when you think about it... so I stopped using it. I only use maple syrup for anything I need to sweeten it works just as great and I don’t get grossed out when I think about it coming from a tree lol hope that helps.
Given how many insects I'm sure the vast majority of people consume a year by way of eating vegetables, bee vomit that is really sweet and made by insects that also pollinate plants is really no big deal. Plenty of figs have insect remains in them, broccoli and cauliflower, leafy vegetables (especially brussels sprouts) get insects trapped in them, wild mushrooms...oh wild mushrooms. Cleaning morels is not my favorite activity. Never mind that mushrooms are fungi. Growing food is a practice ripe for insect involvement and thus eating produce involves eating insects as well.
Here's an article from Scientific America that lays out some of this.10 -
I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.
I am not talking about a serious allergy like me getting stung by a bee, it takes me a week to finish swelling. I wouldn't go get stung to desensitize my allergy. I am talking about getting a runny nose when a plant blooms. If a desensitization via doctors shots work I see no reason the bee honey from local pollen wouldn't work too. That is just speculation on my part but if someone wants to try it I see no risk other than running out of tissues.
You don’t see a risk in recommending that a person do something that might make them sick, and does not have any proven benefits? Eating honey is not the same thing as getting prescribed allergy shots under medical supervision, after undergoing appropriate testing.
I am sorry if someone in this thread said they are extremely allergic to honey, if they did I missed that. I would never suggest someone with a honey allergy to ingest honey. I was only commenting that I know several people that feel that eating local bee honey helps them with pollen allergies only. I also have no idea if it is effective but if desensitization shots work for some allergies than it sounds possible that small dose exposure to the pollen in bee honey may work too. Eating honey made with the same pollen that makes your nose run is hardly going to make them sick anymore than walking outside and probably less so.
Eating local honey does not help with seasonal allergies, so it doesn't matter. It's the placebo effect in action.1 -
Great info!0
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rebekahbagnall210 wrote: »I avoid honey, it may taste good, but it’s bee vomit, which is pretty gross when you think about it... so I stopped using it. I only use maple syrup for anything I need to sweeten it works just as great and I don’t get grossed out when I think about it coming from a tree lol hope that helps.
No it isn't. 🤷🏼♀️🤔3 -
I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.
I am not talking about a serious allergy like me getting stung by a bee, it takes me a week to finish swelling. I wouldn't go get stung to desensitize my allergy. I am talking about getting a runny nose when a plant blooms. If a desensitization via doctors shots work I see no reason the bee honey from local pollen wouldn't work too. That is just speculation on my part but if someone wants to try it I see no risk other than running out of tissues.
You don’t see a risk in recommending that a person do something that might make them sick, and does not have any proven benefits? Eating honey is not the same thing as getting prescribed allergy shots under medical supervision, after undergoing appropriate testing.
I don't think they were referring to food allergies. I think they were referring to hay-fever. If you aren't allergic to honey then there's no harm in trying local honey to see if it desensitises you to local pollen (though I gather it's a myth) I didn't see anyone recommending that you should eat honey if you're allergic to it!2 -
comptonelizabeth wrote: »I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.
I am not talking about a serious allergy like me getting stung by a bee, it takes me a week to finish swelling. I wouldn't go get stung to desensitize my allergy. I am talking about getting a runny nose when a plant blooms. If a desensitization via doctors shots work I see no reason the bee honey from local pollen wouldn't work too. That is just speculation on my part but if someone wants to try it I see no risk other than running out of tissues.
You don’t see a risk in recommending that a person do something that might make them sick, and does not have any proven benefits? Eating honey is not the same thing as getting prescribed allergy shots under medical supervision, after undergoing appropriate testing.
I don't think they were referring to food allergies. I think they were referring to hay-fever. If you aren't allergic to honey then there's no harm in trying local honey to see if it desensitises you to local pollen (though I gather it's a myth) I didn't see anyone recommending that you should eat honey if you're allergic to it!
Hay fever is an allergy (or, more properly, an allergic response to a variety of allergens which could include pollen). So you're recommending that people who are allergic to pollen eat the pollen they're allergic to.3 -
comptonelizabeth wrote: »I have heard that eating local honey can help desensitize certain allergies. The idea is the honey is made from the same local pollen that you are allergic to. I have no idea if it is true or myth but I know some people that swear by it.
That's actually a myth. It might work if it doesn't land you in the hospital or flat out kill you, but for real desensitization, you need shots by a doctor. Trying to do it yourself is a guaranteed way to ruin your health. It's the same as 'trying' just a tiny bit of peanut butter if you're allergic to peanuts.
I am not talking about a serious allergy like me getting stung by a bee, it takes me a week to finish swelling. I wouldn't go get stung to desensitize my allergy. I am talking about getting a runny nose when a plant blooms. If a desensitization via doctors shots work I see no reason the bee honey from local pollen wouldn't work too. That is just speculation on my part but if someone wants to try it I see no risk other than running out of tissues.
You don’t see a risk in recommending that a person do something that might make them sick, and does not have any proven benefits? Eating honey is not the same thing as getting prescribed allergy shots under medical supervision, after undergoing appropriate testing.
I don't think they were referring to food allergies. I think they were referring to hay-fever. If you aren't allergic to honey then there's no harm in trying local honey to see if it desensitises you to local pollen (though I gather it's a myth) I didn't see anyone recommending that you should eat honey if you're allergic to it!
OP has an itch and cough reaction to consuming honey. How is suggesting that exposing oneself to this type of reaction to reduce a reaction to pollen is a good idea? Considering allergies change and can intensify, why would OP increase exposures to something that could at some point create a serious reaction? How many exposures will it take for that itching to become swelling and difficulty breathing? No one can answer that because each person is different. The idea of exposing oneself to an allergy that may or may not become serious for funsies is ludicrous.2
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