Before we get to honey we have a question from one of our readers.
Pam asks:
What is your opinion of Splenda?
Answer:
Splenda is made by chlorinating sugar (sucrose). Three of the hydroxyl groups on the sucrose molecule are replaced by chlorine. DDT, an extremely toxic pesticide, is another compound made by chlorinating positions on a hydrocarbon ring structure. The data so far would indicate that Splenda (Sucralose) is not as dangerous as Aspartame but the following have been observed in laboratory animals.
Shrunken thymus glands (up to 40% shrinkage)
Enlarged liver and kidneys.
Atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus
Increased cecal weight
Reduced growth rate
Decreased red blood cell count
Hyperplasia of the pelvis
Extension of the pregnancy period
Aborted pregnancy
Decreased fetal body weights and placental weights
Diarrhea
**********************
A list of products where it is found:
Baked goods and baking mixes
Chewing gum
Confections and frostings
Fats and oils (salad dressings)
Fruit and water ices
Jams and jellies
Processed fruits and fruit juices
Sweet sauces, toppings and syrups
Beverages and beverage bases
Coffee and tea
Dairy product analogs
Frozen dairy desserts and mixes
Gelatins, puddings and fillings
Milk products
Sugar substitutes
**********************
My Opinion: I would not use it.
**********************
Honey and Meli Maenomenon.
Pediatric Warning: Honey and Children Under Two
Children under the age of one (to be really safe probably two years old) should not ingest honey. Honey contains clostridium botulinum spores. In the human with a mature immune system, the spores will not germinate in the gastrointestinal tract. However, in the immature immune system of the infant, the spores can germinate and cause botulism, a descending flaccid paralysis caused by the neurotoxin of clostridia botulinum. It also does not matter if the honey is pasteurized, since the typical pasteurization temperature is not high to kill the spores.
Composition of Honey
Honey is a highly processed (by bees in this case) substance that is usually around 40% by weight fructose. The typical composition in 100 grams of honey is:
Water 17.1 g (12.2-22.9 g)
Monosaccharides:
Fructose 38.5 g (25.2-44.4 g)
Glucose 31.0 g (24.6-36.9 g)
Disaccharides:
Maltose 7.20 g (1.70-11.8 g)
Sucrose 1.50 g (0.50-2.90 g)
Back to our familiar "fructose short-circuits glycolysis."
Once again we visit the near equal amounts of fructose and glucose entering the bloodstream at the same time. Also, each gram of maltose will yield two molecules of glucose for each molecule of maltose. Each gram of sucrose will yield one molecule of fructose and one molecule of glucose for each molecule of sucrose. As mentioned previously, (now almost ad nauseum) the fructose enters the metabolic pathway for glucose below where glucose enters. This short circuits the glycolytic path for glucose and temporarily blocks the metabolism of the glucose. Excess insulin is secreted and in about two hours when both sugars are metabolized, there will be too much insulin in the bloodstream and voila ... hypoglycemia. Or, if you in the middle of the Ironman or a training run or ride -the Bonk! I hate this bicycle and why am I doing this stupid triathlon?
Honey may be naturally processed by bees but it is still a large dose of fructose and glucose.
Even though honey is a more natural substance, it really is no safer than sucrose. All the problems associated with sucrose are also associated with honey. Lowered immune system function that can lead to cancer. Damage to the vascular system leading to heart disease and adult onset diabetes mellitus with gangrenous toes and all -are at the end of the sugar freeway. There is also some discussion about additional nutrients found in honey. However, the amounts are miniscule and really not worth the health risk of large doses of simple sugars. I think one of the best quotes I have found regarding this is:
"Added sugar contributes nothing but calories and is known as a dead food. All you have to do to improve your nutrition is consume products without any added sugar. Anyone interested in improving their nutrition and personal health should avoid added sugar in their diet."
This is from the following website:
http://naturalhealthperspective.com/food/sugar.html
**********************
< p>Shameless PlugThe MericleDiet is one of the few diets that really makes it as easy as it can be to get off of "added sugars."
http://www.DrMericle.com
**********************
Meli Maenomenom and Some Ancient History
The nature of honey depends on from which flowers the honey bees get their nectar. Clover honey is very popular and does not constitute a significant toxic health threat on an acute basis. However, honey gathered from Rhododendron in the Black Sea area is very toxic. Xenophon, the author of The Anabasis, who was also a very brilliant military leader and a follower of Socrates, found out the hard way. In 401 B.C., following a less than optimal campaign in Persia, he elected to lead 10,000 Greek soldiers through the mountains of Kurdistan, Georgia and finally Armenia. They noticed a large number of bee hives when they made camp in Colchis. They raided the hives and devoured the honey. Soon they were all acting like intoxicated madmen, had fits of vomiting and collapsed by the thousands.
Toxic Honey -A Weapon
Pompey, a few years later, in 67 B.C. did not fare as well. While campaigning against Mithridates king of Pontus, he camped in the same area. Some allies of Mithridates (the Heptakometes) had placed toxic honeycombs all along the way. Pompey's army feasted on the honeycombs and soon they were easily slaughtered. Similar tactics were used against Russian foes of Olga of Kieve in 946 A.D. and Tartar soldiers were massacred by the Russians in 1489 after ingesting toxic honey in the same area.
Meli Maenomenon (Mad Honey)
This honey soon became known as mad honey. While there has been some debate on this subject it apparently is significant enough, even here in the US, that poison control data bases all make mention of toxic honey poisoning. Early symptoms include tingling, numbness, dizziness, impaired speech, and even hallucinations. Larger amounts of ingested "meli maenomenon" result in vertigo, delirium, nausea and vomiting, impaired breathing, bradycardia, hypotension, cyanosis, muscle paralysis and unconsciousness. Extreme ingestions can cause ventricular tachycardia and other serious cardiac arrhythmias.
Differential Diagnosis:
Acute Myocardial Infarction vs Toxic Honey Ingestion
In most emergency rooms in northern California, one of the differential considerations for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) is mad (toxic) honey ingestion.
Today's Health Tip:
Honey is really no safer than sucrose. I would try to limit the ingestion of honey just as you would any other simple sugar.
Reference:
Stryer Biochemistry Fourth Edition
Dan McFeeley (The Ancient History) His only address is: www.keynet.net This however, at least for me, was a broken link.
Thanks for your attention.
Copyright 2005 John Mericle M.D. All Rights Reserved
http://DrMericle.com is devoted to achieving optimal health and peak performance through diet and lifestyle change. Dr. Mericle brings together a unique blend of formal training in organic chemistry and biochemistry, medical education, 29 marathons, 3 Hawaii Ironman competitions and a lot of practical real life experience.
Do you need omega 3 fatty acid in your diet?... Read More
Health food or heart attack on a plate? Eggs had... Read More
Water is a vitally important component of any valuable and... Read More
The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and... Read More
Every person on earth has experienced pain at one time... Read More
This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More
People want to get the very best they can when... Read More
The Benefits of SnackingYou may feel regretful about snacking, but... Read More
THE RISKThe primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to... Read More
The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and vending... Read More
Female and male athletes respond to training in a fairly... Read More
There's no doubt--carbohydrates have taken center stage in public discourse... Read More
Studies on whey demonstrate it's an even better protein supplement... Read More
If you are like most people, you don't enjoy the... Read More
Having spent most of my life living off of junk... Read More
Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More
A fictional overheard conversation at a Thelma's Fine Dining.Hi, I'm... Read More
Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always... Read More
Mango is my favorite fruit next to pineapples. They're sweet,... Read More
Nuts are readily available and provide a highly nutritious food.... Read More
Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
Factory FarmingThe big names in American agriculture would like you... Read More
Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules are a nutritious, all-natural alternative... Read More
The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has... Read More
Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers... Read More
I read a lot about the topics of health and... Read More
Omega-3 appear to reduce the risk of heart attack. A... Read More
Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
For the executive, maintaining the much-needed balance between career, family,... Read More
Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More
This free list of fat burning foods will help you... Read More
High Fructose Corn SyrupBefore we get to high fructose corn... Read More
The importance of protein in diet has been clearly established... Read More
In the brain, a typical protein can live for approximately... Read More
Herbal teas have long been known to have medicinal benefits... Read More
If you do not take time to stand back at... Read More
A fictional overheard conversation at a Thelma's Fine Dining.Hi, I'm... Read More
The Mediterranean Diet is now recognized as one of the... Read More
In a study review conducted by David A. Geier, B.A.... Read More
For the executive, maintaining the much-needed balance between career, family,... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat could be... Read More
Can the colors on your plate tell you what health... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
You may have heard of the "Portfolio Diet" wherein it... Read More
The factors that affect the nutritional requirements of an individual... Read More
Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More
Evidence for the importance of fruit and vegetable intake to... Read More
Soy, and most soy-based products, are nutritional powerhouses. Soybeans are... Read More
Spring is in the air and ? summer is around... Read More
Our bodies are truly incredible machines. What makes cells healthy?... Read More
Unfortunately, it has been proved beyond doubt that a large... Read More
Your face turns flush and your skin starts to itch.... Read More
Nuts are readily available and provide a highly nutritious food.... Read More
Instead of Butter: Use top quality, cold pressed, extra virgin... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More
Each and every person living in the UK is... Read More
Our diet is an essential factor for the formation of... Read More
After WLS we must concentrate on eating nutrient rich food.... Read More
An American culture that is marked by a chronic lack... Read More
Since the 1930's the western diet has dramatically changed. This... Read More
It is always amazing to me when I find a... Read More
Milk is highly underrated. Experts say, America finds itself in... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More
Nutrition |