Honey not such a sweet deal

bwee

The miracle of honey. Specifically honey from the tropical tualang tree which has been in the news for beneficial effects on everything from scars, to bone health, to female reproductive organs to cancer and now to hormone-related intellectual decline.

Three groups participated in a four month study. A group taking honey supplements, one taking estrogen supplements and another control group. Those who took hone or estrogen could recall an extra word on a memory test.

“The immediate memory improvement in the honey group is probably best explained by improvement in concentration and overall well-being after hone supplement,” Said Dr. Zahiruddin Othman from the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kubang Kerian as published in the journal Menopause.

However, the study is being shot down.

“This is not a scientifically rigorous study,” noted Dr. Natalie Rasgon of the Stanford School of Medeicine who had led other studies on estrogen and cognitive decline in women. She suggested that any effect hone might have could be a question of increasing blood sugar levels. “Assuming potential efficacy of the hone, there is no preexisting knowledge of a mechanism,” explained Rasgon. “I can’t understand how they can compare hone to estrogen. Honey is not even a supplement.”

Another Stanford researcher, Dr. Victor Henderson, revealed that the Malaysian study wasn’t blind so that all the participants knew who was taking what. That opens the study up to bias. At four months it was also a short study.

Furthermore, there isn’t convincing evidence that women have memory issues during menopause that are related to hormones. “Memory changes as people get older and for women it’s difficult to separate the effects of again from the effects of menopause,” said Henderson. “The current evidence is that on average, most women don’t need to worry very much about cognition during the years around menopause.”

In fact, one of the few things shown to help memory is exercise. The inclusion of 60 calories of honey into the diet doesn’t help the effort toward the one thing that works, staying fit.

Source: Reuters


disclaimer

This information is solely for informational and educational purposes only. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, family planning, child psychology, marriage counseling and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care or mental health care provider. Neither the owners or employees of NaturalFamilyOnline.com or the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, application of medication or any other action involving the care of yourself or any family members which results from reading this site. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Additional information contained in our Legal Statement

Poll
What does your weekly dinner look like?
The whole family dines together at home
63%
The whole family dines together at a restaurant
1%
Parents and children eat separately
4%
Whoever is around eats together
21%
Every family member for themselves!
11%
Total votes: 5755