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5 foods you should never eat with honey; can cause digestive problems and poisoning
It is better to avoid combining certain foods, as they can cause long-term health issues, even if they are extremely popular. Honey – a common sweetener known to be an antibacterial and anti-viral agent, should not be eaten with certain common foods, as they can cause various health problems – including indigestion, allergies and even cancer. Read on to know more.
You should never mix honey with anything you like, as some combinations do more harm than good
Honey is a wonderful natural sweetener made by bees from plant nectar. Also known as a great antibacterial and antioxidant, honey kills certain bacteria and fungi and helps protect your body’s cells from damage. Several studies show that honey’s antioxidants improve cholesterol levels, which may reduce the risk of heart disease.
It also acts as a great barrier to moisture and prevents your skin from sticking to wound bandages.
And apart from so many health benefits, honey is also used to enhance the taste of various dishes. However, according to experts, you should not mix it in anything you like, as some combinations with honey can cause harm instead of benefit. Some foods that can make honey toxic when mixed together include:
Honey and Garlic
Both garlic and honey are anti-viral agents that help keep infections at bay, especially during the rainy season. However, doctors advise against using these two ingredients together as it may cause digestive problems or aggravate gastrointestinal problems in some people.
Garlic has strong antimicrobial properties and when combined with honey, it affects the way the body processes the mixture.
Honey with warm water
Doctors say that adding honey to hot water can be harmful for several reasons, some of which are as follows:
Loss of nutrients
Hot water destroys the beneficial enzymes and nutrients present in honey. According to a study, at 140 degrees Celsius, the taste and nutritional value of honey is affected and it possibly becomes extremely toxic.
carcinogenic
Research says that adding honey to hot water – that is, raising its temperature – can release 5-hydroxymethylfurfural or HMF, which is known to be a carcinogen. Therefore, it is best to use hot water around 37-43°C and raw honey, which is less processed and retains more nutrients.
Honey and cucumber
Even though it is a popular combination, experts warn against using honey with cucumber, as its cooling and diuretic properties can cause skin or digestive problems when combined with the sweetener.
Honey with fish
Make sure not to mix honey with any non-vegetarian food – especially white fish and red meat. According to experts, do not consume honey an hour before and an hour after eating meat or fish, as it can cause digestive problems – including stomach pain, heartburn and even diarrhoea.
However, if both are served together on the table, make sure to wait at least 30 minutes after eating fish before eating honey and if used to cook any non-vegetarian food, use only a small amount.
Honey and Ghee
Mixing honey and ghee can be dangerous, as it can be toxic. According to an animal study published in Toxicology Reports, rats were given honey and ghee in equal proportions but experienced extreme side effects, including hair loss, weight loss, and red spots on the ears.
According to experts, the mixture can produce a toxin called Clostridium botulinum, which spreads throughout the body and causes respiratory problems and even cancer. This toxin can be especially harmful in low-oxygen environments.
Moreover, since honey is a complex polysaccharide and ghee – a complex chain of fatty acids – when taken together, they interact in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to indigestion and accumulation of free radicals, which can cause health problems.
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