The Effect of Honey Intake on Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials

Honey is referred as cure for mankind in the Holy Qur'an and is a natural sweetener with a lower sugar content that elicits a reduced glycemic response due to its many bioactive compounds that can affect sugar metabolism. Excessive fructose intake has an adverse effect on established cardio-metabolic risk factors when consumed in excess. It is not known if replacing refined sugar with honey, a naturally occurring fructose-containing sugar, would result in a reduction in cardio-metabolic risk factors. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials to assess the effect of honey intake on cardio-metabolic risk factors risk factors such as lipids, glycemic control factors, weight, blood pressure and inflammatory markers.