Is Honey Good for High Blood Pressure?

Introduction

High blood pressure or hypertension is quite common and is often asymptomatic. It can cause cardiovascular complications if left untreated, as high blood pressure can put extra strain on the heart and blood vessels.¹ 

Blood pressure is measured with two numbers, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.¹

So what is classed as high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is when:¹

• Your systolic blood pressure is 130 mmHg or higher
• Your diastolic blood pressure is 80 mmHg or higher

There are many conventional ways of treating high blood pressure, such as lowering your salt intake. However, a potential method to lower blood pressure that you may be surprised by is consuming honey. 

This article will help you to understand how, and if honey can lower blood pressure.

Does honey lower blood pressure?

Out of the many available treatments for high blood pressure, a suggested method is consuming honey. Although there is research evidence to support this, it is currently not recommended by professionals as an effective method to decrease blood pressure.

How can honey reduce high blood pressure?

Honey has antioxidant properties, and also contains special compounds called phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants. These can reduce blood pressure by acting on the cardiovascular system, which encompasses the veins, arteries, heart and blood and improves heart health. 

The phenolic compounds of honey operate in 3 main ways:⁵

1. Preventing blood clots
2. Improving dilation of blood vessels to increase blood flow
3. Reducing ‘bad’ cholesterol, specifically low-density lipoproteins, to prevent fatty deposits in the blood vessels

However, the number of phenolic compounds and antioxidants in honey can be influenced by  the variety and manufacturing process of the honey. 

How to you use honey for high blood pressure?

Below are a few ways to consume honey:

• Try mixing honey with cinnamon powder into a paste, and use it as a breakfast spread regularly. 
• Try mixing 2 tablespoons of honey with 3 teaspoons of cinnamon powder and dissolve it in 450ml of water to make a medicinal tea.³ This can be enjoyed hot or cold, depending on your preference.

Eating this honey paste routinely, or drinking the honey tea is said to decrease cholesterol, which prevents fatty deposits from clogging your arteries and high blood pressure. Additionally, it is said to be a heart attack preventative.³

A moderate amount of honey mixed into pomegranate juice is also said to have benefits for blood pressure and heart health.³

Types of honey

There are several types of honey, each with its flavour, appearance, and uses. The type of honey produced is dependent on where the flower nectar is collected by the bees and the type of flower it is collected from. There are over 300 varieties and some of the most common honey varieties include:⁴

• Clover Honey – This is the most common type of honey, and is the type that you will most likely have at home.
• Acacia Honey – This is a mild, sweet honey ideal for everyday use. If you feel frustrated by honey crystallizing, buying this variety should prevent it from happening.
• Eucalyptus Honey – This type of honey has many medicinal properties making it an ideal choice if you want to make use of its healing properties.
• Manuka Honey – This honey also has medicinal properties, including a high level of antibacterial activity.³

In addition to the different types of honey, it is also important to consider how the honey is made. Honey that you can buy in stores can be raw or refined. 

Refined honey is made in factories, with many of the vitamins and minerals within honey removed.

Try to avoid buying this type of honey in supermarkets as it will not have the same medicinal properties. Read the packaging carefully to ensure you buy the correct honey.⁴

Other health benefits of honey

Beginning as flower nectar, honey is formed in a long process held within a honeycomb.² Honey is simply a different form of sugar, but there are many researched health benefits. Consuming a spoonful of honey every day is advisable for good health and immune system.³ 

Primarily, honey is a rich source of antioxidants. These protect the body from cellular damage and prevent inflammation. Antioxidants can also help to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancers.

Aside from its potential use for reducing blood pressure, honey has several other benefits which are detailed below:

• Natural antiseptic
• Relief of sore throats
• Natural energiser
• Wound healing

Wound healing

Several varieties of honey have shown promising outcomes to be used in the treatment of wounds due to the high antibacterial, antifungal and healing properties of honey. There are enzymes within honey that prevent bacteria from surviving. The enzymes also make the disinfectant hydrogen peroxide which is toxic to bacteria.^3,6

The most effective and common honey varieties used in wound healing are manuka honey and buckwheat honey.⁶

Immune system

Honey has been shown to help the immune system, not just by working as a mild antiseptic but it may also improve our immune response to bacteria.⁶ 

Consuming honey may increase the body’s natural resistance to infections by increasing the number of immune cells that fight bacteria, as well as, increasing probiotic bacteria in the gut.^3,7

Anti-ageing properties

Honey has also been suggested to be beneficial for anti-ageing properties. The antioxidants and phenolic compounds within honey can reverse UV damage contributing to wrinkles and poor skin texture.^3,5,6 Thus, using honey as a weekly or biweekly facemask may help with ageing. 

Other 

There are also some protective effects provided by honey against diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.⁷

Side effects

While there are no direct side effects of consuming/using honey, those who are severely allergic to pollen may have allergic reactions to honey. This is because honey contains bee pollen.⁸ 

If you suffer from any side effects, please discontinue use immediately and consult your GP or pharmacist.

Other methods to reduce high blood pressure

The most common method to reduce high blood pressure is taking prescribed medications by your doctor. These medications, commonly called antihypertensives, work by reducing the constriction of your blood vessels or thinning the blood. 

Typically, your GP will prescribe at least one type of antihypertensive medication at a time to reduce high blood pressure.

A few examples of antihypertensive drugs used include:¹

• ACE inhibitors
• Beta-Blockers
• Diuretics

There are also some natural ways to decrease your blood pressure. These include adopting a more active and healthier lifestyle. Some of the recommended lifestyle changes include:⁹

• Exercising regularly can prevent the development of hypertension
• Losing weight can naturally reduce your blood pressure
• Reducing stress, as stress can increase your blood pressure
• Cutting back on caffeine
• Quitting smoking
• Minimising alcohol consumption

Summary

Honey has many medicinal properties, and the presence of phenolic compounds reveals it may be effective in reducing blood pressure. However, for these compounds to be truly effective, they would need to be consumed in larger quantities than how they are naturally found within honey. 

For this reason, at this stage, it is still recommended to take other measures to reduce blood pressure as the effect of honey on blood pressure needs to be studied further. Currently recommended ways of reducing blood pressure include lifestyle changes and medications. However, in the future, chemists may explore isolating phenolic compounds in honey to make medicines that reduce blood pressure effectively. 

To find out more about blood pressure, and how to treat it, visit the NHS blood pressure page.