Honey and Diabetics
It is
very necessary to have a good understanding of your own physiology as far as the insulin reaction to blood sugar levels is concerned if you are diabetic.
It is also
crucial to understand the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetics.
The critical problem is an impaired response to carbohydrates (like sugars).
In many type 1 diabetics the response is impaired because they make no insulin naturally, which means that if they ingest carbohydrate it become converted to blood glucose (energy) but without insulin to convert it, the levels rise to a toxic degree and they feel ill.
Type 2s may well make some insulin but they are resistant to it, and so it doesn't work efficiently to reduce blood glucose levels after carbohydrate consumption.
It is not just sugars which cause problems with diabetics but many other carbohydrates (of which honey is one) give a rapid glycemic response.
Some say Weetabix or baked potatoes are as bad as pure sugar, and there are many similar foods which can give diabetics a problem. Honey is just one of the candidates.
Professor Jennie Brand-Miller of the University of Sydney is a world authority on the glycemic response to food substances. link -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennie_Brand-Miller
With sugar as 100 (honey is about the same) here is a list of other foods with a high glycemic index. (source -
http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/DIET/gi_diet/glycaemic_index_tables.htm )
Mashed potato 70
White bread 70
Watermelon 72
Swede 72
Bagel 72
Branflakes 74
Cheerios 74
French fries 75
Coco Pops 77
Jelly beans 80
Rice cakes 82
Rice Krispies 82
Cornflakes 84
Jacket potato 85
Puffed wheat 89
Baguette 95
Parsnips, boiled 97
White rice, steamed 98
It is necessary to understand that the
quantity of a food which is consumed can be as relevant as the glycemic index. For example a bowl of rice with a meal could be much more dangerous than a spoonful of honey.
In my own experience (type 2) these matters are
not well understood by GPs and their staff, although attention is being paid to the development of clinical diabetic centres.
These links may be useful for those who wish to know more.
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/
http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm
Regards, JCBrum.
p.s. personally, I use the precaution of a mile's brisk walk for every spoonful of honey consumed. (it uses up the blood glucose which is produced). But do take advice from an Endocrinal Medical Professional.
p.p.s. If you receive an email purporting to be from the Department of Health, telling you not to eat tinned processed pork because of swine flu', ignore it, It's just spam.
