April 2011 - More sweetness from honey
My last two articles have looked at our love of sweetness and artificial sweeteners. A Valley resident also sent me some information about honey and cinnamon, so this month I’ll check out a few facts on these by replying to the following claims:
Is honey the only food that will not spoil or rot?
Honey that is kept sealed and in a non-humid atmosphere will last for a very long time, possibly thousands of years. Few organisms will grow in it, although some honey can contain spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This is why honey should not be given to infants under 12 months of age. By toddler stage, the maturing intestine should be able to cope with the small quantity of bacteria likely to be present. Sugar also doesn’t spoil or rot, but that doesn’t make it a nutritious food.
Is a mixture of honey and cinnamon a cure for diabetes?
As you might guess, the answer is no, but the cinnamon claims are worth more study. There is currently nothing that will ‘cure’ type 1 diabetes, although type 2 will go into remission (an apparent ‘cure’) with weight loss and exercise.
In the test tube, cinnamon stimulates glucose metabolism and studies in rats have also shown some beneficial effects in reducing blood glucose levels. One study gave 10 people daily capsules containing 1, 3 or 6g of cinnamon for 40 days and reported improvements in fasting blood glucose levels. Unfortunately the researchers didn’t record glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, both of which would be important. A study in 25 post menopausal women with type 2 diabetes then found no effect with supplements of the same variety of cinnamon. Subsequently, one study has shown benefits, two more have not and another small study (8 men) found some advantages but only if the cinnamon was taken every day. There’s no evidence that cinnamon will do any harm and some evidence it may do some good. However, the quantities required are likely to require taking a supplement than simply enjoying some cinnamon on toast or sprinkled on your cappuccino.
Small quantities of honey are not a problem for people with diabetes, but preferably taken with slowly digested carbohydrate and dietary fibre. For example, a little honey on porridge or wholegrain toast. Using honey instead of sugar in tea or coffee might taste pleasant but neither practice is suitable for those with diabetes, except as an occasional thing.
Cinnamon and honey for heart disease?
Claims for this combination appear on several websites but a recent review failed to find any evidence that cinnamon or honey reduced blood fats or had any special benefits to protect against cardiovascular diseases. Sadly, evidence doesn’t back claims that cinnamon and honey revive ‘old’ arteries.
Will cinnamon and honey cure arthritis?
Over 2000 websites claim that research from Copenhagen University had found that a teaspoon of cinnamon and two spoons of honey in a glass of hot water greatly reduces pain throughout the body. Unfortunately, no such studies have been published in the scientific or medical literature. Copenhagen University says they “have never conducted such a study and their name has unfortunately been used to give a feeling of authenticity to spurious advice”.
Osteoarthritis (the most common type) tends to come and go and this gives rise to many tales of ‘cures’ where one food or some activity coincides with a natural remission. This is why proper studies with large numbers of people given either the real treatment or a placebo are important. However, as there is no evidence of harm from cinnamon and honey, there is no problem in giving it a go.
Cinnamon and honey for other conditions
There is no real evidence that cinnamon and honey help bladder infections. Nor are the amazing claims true that you can reduce your cholesterol by 10% in just two hours after swallowing 450 mL of water with two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon. If only it was that simple!
As you might guess at this stage, other claims are also unproven that this magic concoction will cure colds or flu, upset stomach, indigestion, ulcers or gas. Nor will it magically produce weight loss, restore hearing or cure cancer. That last one is dangerous because many kinds of cancer can be cured if caught early. Wasting time on quack cures could be hazardous.
Mixing a paste of honey and cinnamon is also a folk remedy for acne. It won’t hurt to try it, but stay away from flies and don’t be too upset if it doesn’t work.
I am almost tempted by claims that a tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, consumed 3-4 times a day can arrest old age. According to one website, even a 100-year-old on this drink can start performing the chores of a 20-year-old. I notice they’re careful not to claim the chores will be completed!
Take home message:
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. However, if you like honey and cinnamon, they won’t harm you and cinnamon has some interesting polyphenols that could have some benefits for diabetes. ☼