Why do people say honey is bad for you?

Answer 1

The simple answer is because it is a raw product, not processed or pasteurized, thereby possibly containing bacteria that some immune systems (or lack thereof) might not be able to handle.

Answer 2

Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age.

Infant Botulism is a rare but very serious disease affecting the nervous system of infants. Honey and other raw agricultural products may contain bacterial spores from Clostridium botulinum that could cause Infant Botulism. These bacterial spores are widely distributed in nature. They can be found in soil, dust, the air or raw agricultural products. C. botulinum spores have been detected in corn syrup, honey, fresh and processed meats, fruits and vegetables. Scientists don't know why, but this disease has never been reported in an infant older than 11 months of age.
http://www.suebeehoney.com/honey/honey_faq.asp

Answer 3

it is especially bad for babies..........
Why? Because for babies less than a year old it may contain poison in the form of botulism-causing bacteria.
Botulism results from a protein called botulin, produced by a particular strain of bacteria. Once inside the body it blocks the nerve cells that cause muscles to contract, resulting in paralysis. At worst, botulin can cause total paralysis leading to death.

Since botulism bacteria cannot survive in oxygen, they form spores that lie dormant until they're in an oxygen-free environment. For example, the oxygen-free insides of canned goods are prime breeding grounds for botulism. Unless such cans are heated properly to destroy the spores, they will awaken and contaminate the food inside. That's why many cases of botulism occur after the victim has eaten canned food.

Honey normally doesn't come in cans, so what does this have to do with babies? When bees collect nectar from flowers, they incidentally pick up botulism spores that get mixed into their honey. Since adults and babies more than a year old have fully developed immune systems and intestinal bacteria that destroy the spores, eating honey is no problem. Lacking these safeguards, a baby that eats honey provides a perfect environment for the spores to activate and unleash their toxin. So keep your baby away from honey. Chances are she's already sweet enough just as she is.

Answer 4

Well, people probably say honey is bad for you because it contains sugar and might have some kind of parasite, because it comes from bees. However, according to the website listed below, honey can help you in many other ways, even if it is not the healthiest thing to eat.

Answer 5

Honey is not bad for you in general, in fact, quite the opposite, as it's a natural sweetener (when you buy pure honey) and has other uses as well.

For almost 3000 years, honey has been used to treat many ailments and scientists have recently figured out why. Honey acts as a natural antiseptic/antibacterial agent so it can be used for dressing wounds, burns and skin ulcers. This has a long history in traditional medicine. Also, the use of honey reduces odors, reduces swelling, and reduces scarring; it also prevents the dressing from sticking to the healing wound.

Due to its antiseptic properties, honey (especially when combined with lemon) can be taken by people suffering from coughs and other throat illnesses in order to soothe their throat.

However, not all honey is good for you.

Babies and young infants should not be given any honey as it can cause a form of botulism (their young intestines can't defend itself from the natural bacteria in honey).

A danger to adults is called toxic or "mad" honey and it comes from bees that have collected pollen from plants that produce nectar that's poisonous to humans. Although most beekeepers raise their bees in regulated fields where they have a good idea of what plants their bees are collecting from, some other countries have people who sell honey collected by bees from wild plants so it's more uncontrolled.

Hope that helps!

Answer 6

Honey shouldn't be given to infants because the microorganisms in their gastro-intestinal tracts are not well established. Honey sometimes contains bacterial spores that are not typically harmful to children and adults, but that can dominate an infants intestinal microbial population and make the baby sick. If you are worried about food safety you can look for pasteurized honey.

Answer 7

I don't see people say to me honey is bad for you.

Answer 8

I never heard that honey was bad for anyone...

The key is to eat everything in moderation.