Honey? Does it include sugar?

Question

Or does it have saccharides in another form?
Fructose, for example?

I am asking this because I really take care of my fitness, but my blood sugar drops quite easily. I do not have any instability or illness, I just consume it really quickly because I exercise a lot.

So is it for honey? Sugar or sugar in a "healthier form"?

Answer 1

For you, honey might be better, but then so would fruits. You can find honey in soda straws, that might be a nice emergency treatment, but since you tend to by hypoglycemic, having juice or fruit close by would be far better than sugar...but sugar is more readily available...unfortunately.

What are their differences?

Both sweeteners contain glucose and fructose. However, for sugar, in the process of manufacturing, the organic acids, protein, nitrogen elements, enzymes and vitamins in the sugar cane are destroyed, whereas honey, a natural sweetener, subjects only to minimal heating. Also, honey has certain beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which are not present in table sugar. Here are three honey nutrition facts that will make you feel good about eating honey:

One:

One tablespoon of table sugar or sucrose contains 46 calories, while one tablespoon of natural sweetener honey has 64 calories. Though honey may have more calories, we actually need to use less of it since it is sweeter than table sugar. As a result, you may in fact consume even less amount of calories that you would with sugar. And in the long run even though honey is more expensive, it may be more economical than table sugar.

Two:

Compared to table sugar, honey has a healthier Glycemic Index (GI) which measures the negative impact of a given food on the blood-glucose level. The lower the GI rating, the slower the absorption and infusion of sugars into the bloodstream and hence a more gradual and healthier digestion process.

Three:

Unlike honey, table sugar lacks minerals and vitamins (hence it's been often called empty calories), they draw upon the body's nutrients to be metabolized into the system. When these nutrients are all used up, metabolizing of undesirable cholesterol and fatty acid is impeded, contributing to higher cholesterol and promoting obesity due to higher fatty acid on the organs and tissues. So the message is, if you are watching your weight, honey will be a smarter choice than sugar.

Answer 2

Honey is a much healthier sweetener than Sucrose (table sugar), but it does have natural sugars in it as most all natural sweeteners do. In fact, Honey is made up of about 38% Fructose and 31% Glucose among other constituents.

Fructose, Glucose, Honey, or most other natural sweeteners (Stevia, Xylitol, etc) are the best things to take, but if your blood sugar fluctuates that quickly, you may want to be careful about it and maybe get checked by your doctor for a blood sugar problem (Diabetes or Hypoglycemia would be the big ones).
The biggest problem is that people who are sensitive to sugar sometimes have problem with certain natural sugars (which varies person to person). Try out a small sample of each type of sweetener if you're sensitive to sugars and see how your body responds... you might even find one that you absolutely love.

Answer 3

Honey is absolutely packed with sugar!! It is a natural sugar, however, such as that in any fruit. I sometimes have problems with my blood sugar as well (hypoglycemia) and I keep a small packet of honey in my car, golf bag, or wherever else just in case i start to feel light headed. Use the honey, and then get something REAL to eat right away.... this will usually stabilize your sugar levels. It still has many natural benefits so I wouldn't steer clear of it just b/c it contains sugar.

Answer 4

Honey contains carbohydrates. The same like in sugar, but you are quite right that honey is much healthier than sugar (it will never be healthy!) If you are doing exercises you need carbohydrates (carbs). If you are on a low carbs diet, avoid honey as well as the sugar, but drink energy drinks.
see http://www.best-fat-burn-strategies.com

Answer 5

Carbohydrates
Unsurprisingly, these comprise the major portion of honey - about 82%. The carbohydrates present are the monosaccharides fructose (38.2%) and glucose (31%); and disaccharides (~9%) sucrose, maltose, isomaltose, maltulose, turanose and kojibiose. There are also some oligosaccharides present (4.2%), including erlose, theanderose and panose, formed from incomplete breakdown of the higher saccharides present in nectar and honeydew.

Answer 6

This kind of sugar is preferable to refined white or brown sugar; however, too much sugar is too much sugar, and sugars naturally occuring in wholefoods will put the same stresses on the body - insulin spike, etc. - as refined sugars when consumed in excess.

Answer 7

I'm not sure if there is sugar in honey, probably not, but I can assure you that it is great for exercising because I too work out and I used to make a homemade protein shake with honey in it. So whatever is in honey, its definitely good for you.

Answer 8

Sugar in a 'healthier form' but still sugar, it's like fruit sugars I think.
It's much better to eat a spoonful of honey than the equivalent of refined sugar but you still shouldn't have too much

Answer 9

Honey is significantly sweeter than table sugar and has attractive chemical properties for baking, it's not really good to eat all the time..very high in calories.

Answer 10

I'm sure if you used Wikipedia you would find everything you need to know on the structure of honey. Yes, it is a natural sugar. Good luck!