What should not be consumed with honey?

Nov 29, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I often suffer from constipation, so I usually drink honey water to regulate my digestion. However, consuming honey also has its considerations. I would like to ask, what foods should not be consumed together with honey?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua

Foods that should not be consumed with honey:

1. Tofu: According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, consuming honey and tofu together may cause diarrhea. This may be because tofu contains abundant protein, while certain components in honey might interfere with the digestion and absorption of protein, leading to gastrointestinal discomfort.

2. Onion: Although this view hasn't been widely confirmed by the scientific community, traditionally it is believed that consuming honey and onion together may cause stomach discomfort or even more severe reactions. This might be due to unfavorable chemical reactions produced when these two substances are metabolized in the body for some individuals.

3. Alcohol: While honey can help alleviate discomfort after drinking alcohol, consuming large amounts of honey together with alcohol might increase the burden on the liver, especially for individuals with impaired liver function.

It should be noted that honey contains abundant fructose and active enzymes, which might interact with active ingredients in medications and affect the efficacy of the drugs. Therefore, when taking medications, one should avoid taking them with honey water. Additionally, individuals should appropriately combine honey with other foods based on their own constitution and health condition.