Honey Vs. Sugar: Which Is Better? - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeHoney vs. Sugar: Which Sweetener Should I Use?

Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, RDN, CDCES — Written by Corey Whelan — Updated on May 19, 2023

Honey
Benefits of honey
Downsides of honey
Sugar
Benefits of sugar
Downsides of sugar
Tips
Takeaway

While limiting your use of any sweetener is generally advised, honey may be the “healthier” option compared to sugar.

Honey vs. sugar

When you brew a cup of hot tea, do you reach for honey or sugar? Although both may add sweetness to your drink, their nutritional benefits vary.

Honey and sugar are both carbohydrates composed primarily of glucose and fructose. They’re used as ingredients in many packaged foods and recipes. Both can contribute to weight gain if overused.

Honey’s reputation for being healthier may have some basis, but honey isn’t considered a health food. So which sweetener is healthier? Here’s what you need to know.

Honey basics

Bees use the nectar they collect from flowers to create honey. This thick substance is typically consumed in liquid form and can range in color from pale yellow to dark brown.

Honey is composed primarily of water and two sugars: fructose and glucose. It also contains trace amounts of:

enzymes
amino acids
B vitamins
vitamin C
minerals
antioxidants

Many of the antioxidants found in honey are classified as flavonoids. Flavonoids have anti-inflammatory properties, which may provide some health benefits.

The exact nutritional makeup of honey varies based on its origin. There are more than 300 varieties of honey, including:

alfalfa
wildflower
tupelo
golden blossom
eucalyptus

Each variety of honey has a distinct color and flavor. For example, buckwheat honey is a popular dark honey known for its malty taste. Fireweed honey is a light variety that’s nearly translucent in color and has a tea-like flavor.

No matter which type you prefer, any kind of honey can spike blood sugar levels.

What are the benefits of honey?

Pros

You can use a smaller amount of honey without sacrificing sweetness.
It contains traces of vitamins and minerals.
Raw honey may help alleviate allergies.

Honey is higher in fructose than glucose. Fructose is sweeter than glucose, so you may be able to use a smaller amount of honey in your food or drink without sacrificing sweetness.

The trace amounts of vitamins and minerals found in honey may also have added health benefits. However, these amounts are extremely small.

Raw, unpasteurized honey contains trace amounts of local pollen, which may help desensitize allergic reactions.

Honey also provides additional health benefits:

It may help kill off germs because it has antimicrobial properties.
When used as a salve in gel form, it may help promote healing of wounds and minor burns.
It may help ease coughing and sore throats.

Overall, honey goes through less processing than sugar does. It requires pasteurization only to become table-ready. Honey can also be eaten raw.

Are there downsides to honey?

Cons

Honey is slightly higher in calories per serving than sucrose (table sugar).
It’s primarily made up of sugar.
It may not be safe for infants younger than 1 year.

At around 22 calories per teaspoon, honey is slightly higher in calories than sucrose. It consists primarily of sugar and should be used sparingly. This is especially true if you have health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity.

Honey may be dangerous for infants younger than a year. This is because it contains bacterial spores that can cause botulism in infants.

Additionally, honey’s stickiness may make it a messy choice for households with small children.

Sugar basics

Sugar is made up of a combination of glucose and fructose, which bond together to form sucrose. It has no added vitamins or nutrients.

A calorie-dense carbohydrate, sugar is derived from sugar beet and sugar cane plants. It requires multistep processing before it becomes the refined, granulated table sugar that we use most often.

Of the many types of sugar, white, brown, and raw sugar are the most commonly used.

Brown sugar is a combination of white sugar and molasses and may have some trace nutrients. It’s used primarily in baking.

Raw sugar is a less-refined version of white sugar. It’s light brown and contains larger crystals. Raw sugar doesn’t vary nutritionally from white sugar.

Other types of sugar include powdered, turbinado, and muscovado sugar.

What are the benefits of sugar?

Pros

Sugar is a naturally occurring substance.
It’s lower in calories per serving than honey.
It has a long shelf life.

As a carbohydrate, sugar is a potential source of fast fuel. Your brain needs 130 grams of carbohydrate daily to function. This naturally occurring substance is also low in calories, with a teaspoon containing about 16 calories.

White sugar has a long shelf life and is easy to use in baking and cooking. Sugar is typically low cost and easily accessible.

Are there downsides to sugar?

Cons

Sugar can increase your risk of certain diseases.
It can contribute to weight gain.
Eating large amounts may cause your energy to rise and drop sharply.

Eating too much sugar can increase your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Sugar is a common ingredient in many processed foods, so you may eat more of it than you realize. This can lead to weight gain and obesity.

People with diabetes should be mindful of their sugar consumption, as it can cause blood sugar to spike.

If consumed in quantities greater than your body needs, sugar can provide a quick burst of fuel followed by a sharp drop in energy.

Tips for cutting down on sweeteners

Many people reach for sugar and honey out of habit. We get used to the taste in our beverages and food and miss that jolt of sweetness when we forgo them. Rather than eliminate either one completely, it may help to reduce your intake.

Try using half a teaspoon of honey in tea or half a packet of sugar in coffee instead of a full serving. You can try the same trick with breakfast cereal and yogurt. If you use sugar in baking, reducing the amount by one-third may have less impact on taste than you might expect.

Learn more: Which is the healthier sugar substitute? Xylitol vs. Erythritol »

The bottom line

These two widely used sweeteners have very different tastes and textures. You may find that you enjoy the molasses taste and moisture of brown sugar for baking yet prefer the gentleness of honey on your morning toast.

Experimenting with each while keeping an eye on the amount you use can help you decide which is best for you.

Honey may have a better reputation, but both honey and sugar can have negative effects on your health if used in excess. All added sugars are best used in moderation.

If you have diabetes or heart disease or you’re concerned about managing your weight, speak with a healthcare professional or dietitian about your dietary needs. They can work with you to develop the best nutritional plan for you.

Keep reading: Are natural sweeteners actually healthier than sugar? »

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Agostoni C, et al. (2010). Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for carbohydrates and dietary fibre.https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/1462
Ashkin E, et al. (2013). A spoonful of honey helps a coughing child sleep.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3601686/
Avena NM, et al. (2009). Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral neurochemical effects of intermittent,excessive sugar intake.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2235907/
da Silva PM, et al. (2016). Honey: Chemical composition, stability, and authenticity.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26593496/
Goldman RD. (2014). Honey for treatment of cough in children.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4264806/
Higdon J. (2016). Flavonoids.https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/flavonoids
Mandal MD, et al. (2011). Honey: Its medicinal property and antibacterial activity.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/
Stanhope KL. (2016). Sugar consumption, metabolic disease, and obesity: The state of the controversy.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4822166/

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Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, RDN, CDCES — Written by Corey Whelan — Updated on May 19, 2023

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Honey vs. sugar

Honey basics

What are the benefits of honey?

Pros

Are there downsides to honey?

Cons

Sugar basics

What are the benefits of sugar?

Pros

Are there downsides to sugar?

Cons

Tips for cutting down on sweeteners

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

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