However, its high sugar content can feed Candida and other harmful bacteria in the gut. Fructose doesn’t only disrupt the balance of the microbiome – it also isn’t absorbed well in the gut, and so can ferment and lead to gas, bloating, and other digestive discomforts.
It’s still better for you than table sugar, but too much fructose is always the gut’s enemy.
But on the bright side…
Honey’s Sweet Benefits
Honey is considered to be an excellent prebiotic.
Prebiotics are different from probiotics. For something to be considered a prebiotic, it must meet these standards:
- It must be able to resist digestion from human enzymes and thus reach the large intestine still whole.
- It must be able to be fermented by the probiotics living in your gut.
- It must hold up against gastric acidity.
- It must aid in the growth of bacteria associated with well-being.
Raw honey meets all of those qualifications!
It contains oligosaccharides, which are not digestible by the small intestine and thus are able to make it to the large intestines. Once the oligosaccharides reach their destination, they feed the good bacteria and help them create nutrients we need.
Specifically, honey tends to nurture bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which we know are some of the main bacteria responsible for our positive gut health and for crowding out harmful bacteria that cause digestive and other issues.
And remember – not all honey is harvested the same way, or comes from the same nectar source.
Most honey produced in the world is flower honey, produced by bees removing the nectar from flowers.
But other, more specialized forms of honey might be more effective for the purposes of gut rejuvenation and nourishment. Pine, acacia, and chestnut honeys, for example, have all been used to help build a healthy gut and soothe digestive issues.
When consuming honey on a daily basis, putting it in your tea or coffee, over granola, in your marinades, or any other way can help you reap its benefits.
If you want it to have a concentrated impact, consider simply swallowing a spoonful of it raw! But keep in mind the quality of the honey you’re eating, its high sugar content, and the kind of honey it is for the best gut benefits.