Overall, different types of honey appear to have little to no difference in their effects, though the effects of natural or raw honey might be stronger.[1][2]
In a 2019 meta-analysis of RCTs, “pure, natural” honey reduced the odds of having moderate to severe oral mucositis (OM) from cancer treatment by 89%, compared to 75% for honey overall, where the difference between honey types (pure, natural honey vs. manuka honey vs. local honey) reached statistical significance.[1]
In contrast, a 2024 meta-analysis of RCTs found no differences between different types of honey for the treatment of OM.[3] Furthermore, manuka honey and Medihoney have had similar effects on wound healing.[4][5]
The honey type might matter more for metabolic outcomes. In the subanalyses of a 2023 meta-analysis of RCTs examining honey’s cardiometabolic effects, raw honey reduced body weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose, whereas processed honey did not. Furthermore, clover or Robinia honeys reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose, whereas polyfloral honeys did not.[2]
More research is required to assess whether the honey type matters and in what contexts, and if so, which properties of honey (e.g., if the honey has been pasteurized and/or filtered, which flowers the nectar came from) may be responsible for these different effects.
References
- ^Yang C, Gong G, Jin E, Han X, Zhuo Y, Yang S, Song B, Zhang Y, Piao CTopical application of honey in the management of chemo/radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.Int J Nurs Stud.(2019 Jan)
- ^Amna Ahmed, Zujaja Tul-Noor, Danielle Lee, Shamaila Bajwah, Zara Ahmed, Shanza Zafar, Maliha Syeda, Fakeha Jamil, Faizaan Qureshi, Fatima Zia, Rumsha Baig, Saniya Ahmed, Mobushra Tayyiba, Suleman Ahmad, Dan Ramdath, Rong Tsao, Steve Cui, Cyril W C Kendall, Russell J de Souza, Tauseef A Khan, John L SievenpiperEffect of honey on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysisNutr Rev.(2022 Nov 16)
- ^Li CP, Gau SY, Chen CC, Kao CH, Tsai RY, Yang HJHoney in Alleviating Severe Oral Mucositis Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy.In Vivo.(2024 May-Jun)
- ^Saikaly SK, Khachemoune AHoney and Wound Healing: An Update.Am J Clin Dermatol.(2017 Apr)
- ^Ferraz Barbosa B, de Moraes FCA, Araujo Alves da Silva B, Bordignon Barbosa C, Pereira da Silva I, da Silva ER, Barros JCM, Rebouças LWC, Dos Santos NPC, Fernandes MRThe Use of Honey for Cicatrization and Pain Control of Obstetric Wounds: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Nutrients.(2024-Jan-05)