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Is Honey Good For You, Or Not? And should you eat it? ...with Ilyse Jones

Nutrition Science Bites with Professor Clare Collins AO

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Is Honey Good For You, Or Not? And should you eat it? ...with Ilyse Jones

In this conversation, Prof Clare Collins and Ilyse Jones explore the multifaceted topic of honey, addressing listener questions about its health benefits, uses, and potential risks. They delve into the composition of honey, the differences between medical-grade and regular honey, and the science behind its antimicrobial properties. The discussion also covers the comparison of honey with sugar and maple syrup, the role of propolis, and the dangers of 'mad' honey. Throughout the conversation, they emphasise the importance of understanding the source and quality of honey, especially regarding its use in wound healing and its safety for infants.

Key Takeaways

Honey has potential health benefits but varies by source
Propolis, or bee 'glue', may help lower LDL-cholesterol
Honey contains antimicrobial properties due to its composition
Always consult your doctor before using medical-grade honey for wounds
Raw honey is not suitable for infants due to potential for contamination with bacterial spores
Mad honey can cause adverse effects and is illegal in some places
Maple syrup has a lower glycemic index than honey

Review on Honey as a Topical Treatment for Wounds Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015

Review on Propolis Consumption and Blood Pressure, Lipids and Glycemic Parameters in Adults Br J Nutr. 2025

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What is healthy eating?

Eating healthy is making sure you enjoy a wide variety of foods from each of the five major food groups daily, in the amounts recommended. The five major food groups as recommended by the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating are:

vegetables and legumes/bean
fruit
lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, legumes/beans
grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties
milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or alternatives, mostly reduced fat.

Foods are grouped together because they provide similar amounts of key nutrients and eating a variety of foods from the list above helps to promote good health and reduce the risk of disease.

How do I improve my diet?

If you want to improve your diet you have come to the right place. By completing the Healthy Eating Quiz you’ll receive instant personalised feedback and a report on your diet quality to highlight any areas where you can improve your overall eating habits. Your score is based on the frequency and variety of the foods consumed from the five major food groups mentioned above. No Money No Time can help you improve your score by providing tips, goals and suggestions. On top of this we will provide quick, cheap and healthy recipes as well as credible answers to diet hacks, myths and FAQ’s.

Is my diet healthy?

Dietary habits are different between people. Some people choose to follow a particular diet (i.e., Keto diet or vegan diet) while some have to make changes due to certain food restrictions or health conditions. If you want to know if what you usually eat is healthy, then do the Healthy Eating Quiz today to give you the answers in less than 10 minutes.

Why is healthy eating important?

Your HEQ score and personalised feedback report is based on the frequency and variety of healthy core foods you usually eat. This is important because no single food contains all the nutrients we need to stay healthy. Some foods are higher in nutrients than others and people who have a lot of variety in the foods they eat are more likely to be healthy and to stay healthy. In other words, if you can eat a large variety of vegetables as opposed to only 2-3 types of vegetables, the benefits are much greater. This type of diet also helps you to feel better, think better and perform better during your usual daily activities.

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