6 things to avoid mixing with honey

Honey is a natural sweetener, produced by bees from the nectar of flowers.

They collect the nectar, break it down into sugars, and store it in honeycombs where it gradually thickens into honey through a process of evaporation.

From Ayurveda to medical science, all agree to the benefits and nutritional values of this thickened liquid sweetener that also enhances the overall visual appeal of the dish.

Nutritional values of honey

It is a rich source of sugar (fructose and glucose) along with vitamin B, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It is also rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acids. It is proven to help in breaking down sugars and improving digestion.

Foods not to mix with honey

While honey is not only a natural sweetener but also a versatile food with numerous health benefits, it should not be mixed with certain foods for overall health. Take a look at 6 foods one should avoid mixing with honey.

1. Honey with hot water

Adding honey to hot water or heating honey above 40°C (104°F) is unhealthy. As per experts, when honey is heated, it creates toxins or “ama” and can lead to digestive issues and accumulate in the body, causing imbalances in the system. The toxic byproducts are believed to interfere with digestion, affect metabolism, and create sticky substances in the body. Also, it is said that heating honey destroys many of its beneficial enzymes, antioxidants, and antimicrobial properties, reducing its health benefits.

2. Honey with garlic

As per experts, combining honey and garlic is a strict no. It is proven that combining the two can lead to digestive discomfort or aggravate gastrointestinal issues. Garlic has strong antimicrobial properties, and when mixed with honey, it may affect how the body processes the combination.

Consuming foods of opposite properties is a big no. Cucumber is known for its cooling properties, while honey is meant to keep you warm. When these two are combined together, they might lead to an imbalance, and result in digestive disturbance.

4. Honey with meat and fish

The combination not only creates a strange taste but also hinders the absorption of protein found in meat and fish. It also delays digestion and causes stomach ache.

Ghee and honey have opposite qualities. Ghee is known for its cooling properties, while honey is known for its heating properties, When combined in equal parts, Ayurveda suggests this creates a kind of imbalance that the body finds difficult to process. This is believed to generate toxins, which can disturb digestion and lead to health issues over time.

6. Honey with hot milk

Adding honey to hot milk may be toxic. It might create a a compound called hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which, in large amounts, is potentially harmful. Ayurveda says that when exposed to heat, honey loses its beneficial properties and can produce toxins in the body.