Sweet Treats Sweet: A Review of Antidiabetic Properties of Honey

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic progressive disease that cannot be effectively controlled with single therapy and diabetic patients struggle to maintain the recommended blood glucose control. This increases the risk for many complications such as macro and micro vascular diseases, neuropathyRetinopathy, and diabetic foot. Honey has been used to prevent and treat many diseases. The mechanisms behind its biological and pharmacological role are still not clearly understood, however, some studies reported that Honey has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immune stimulation actions. The aim of this article was to review the published articles about the antidiabetic properties of honey with their mechanisms. The findings showed that low glyceamic index honey can act as hypoglyceamic agent and delay or prevents the progression of the diabetic outcomes. However further studies to standardize the use of honey among patients with Diabetes mellitus are need.