Honey: Safe on a daily basis?
Why is honey toxic for infants and not adults?
If I were to consume honey on a daily basis, would it make me sick?
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12 Comments:
The issue is botulism spores. They can be almost anywhere, and are common in honey. Since infants' immune systems haven't fully developed, they're more vulnerable. Unless you have a severely comprimised immune system, you can eat all the honey you want, I believe.
Nicholas H at 10:47PM on 02/13/09
Yep. He has it spot on.
Babies just don't have the resistant immune system yet, and adults do.
Go crazy, the honey won't hurt you!
sadiepix at 11:01PM on 02/13/09
Honey is actually healthy for adults and older children. It makes for an excellent homeopathic cough medicine and also helps prevent allergies.
izzy's mama at 6:02PM on 02/14/09
in addition to what everyone else said, honey is not "toxic to infants". in fact, many cultures feed honey to babies. there is an african naming ritual that involves giving the baby a spoon of honey.
plus, i have honey in my tea every morning. i am not dead.
dmarina at 1:42AM on 02/15/09
There are warnings against raw honey for infants and people with compromised immune systems. Honey contains bacterias that you need immunities to in order to not become ill.
And, what Izzy's mama said; If you eat locally produced honey, your body will build resistance against local allergens. HAS to be local honey. You'll be amazed
carolrsfMISSESTEXAS at 4:39AM on 02/15/09
Botulism is caused by a species of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum.
>Wiki
They can form heat-resistant spores, which often contaminate honey, corn syrup, and home-canned foods.
It is believed that gastric acid of infant is not low enough to damage spores, so they can grow and produce neurotoxin (also known as Botox).
Botulism is different from food allergies because it is caused by a bacterial toxin.
Food allergies are the result of misdirected immune response to allergens in food.
hmw0029 at 12:28PM on 02/15/09
Interesting-Honey has such a high sugar content that it's actually a mild antiseptic (It sucks the water out of anything that comes in contact with it and dries bacteria up like raisins)
michichan at 12:59PM on 02/15/09
@michichan
you're right.
But spores are a dormant, resistant form of organisms and cannot be killed by conditions that normally kill regular bacteria, such as desiccation or high heat (like canning). Normal stomach acid pH can damage spores enough to stop germination.
hmw0029 at 2:19PM on 02/15/09
well my point is honey is safe for kids who can eat solid food (their stomach pH is low enough at that point) and adults, but I'd avoid feeding it to infants. The incidence of infant botulism is extremely low, but it's avoidable.
hmw0029 at 2:22PM on 02/15/09
Thanks for all of your responses!
Very helpful. :-)
paris221966 at 9:15PM on 02/15/09
gosh, if eating honey every day was dangerous, i'd probably be dead by now. i eat/drink honey the way some people eat potato chips. in fact, i'm gonna go have a few tablespoons right now.
redhead at 10:40AM on 02/16/09
I've actually upped my honey intake recently. My university did a study that 2 tablespoons of honey is a better cough suppressant than over the counters like Robitussin, especially in children! Tastes infinitely better too
sweethunibabi at 5:35PM on 02/16/09