By Dr. Bidemi Ojeleye
Honey is different from sugar in many ways.
Honey contains enzymes such as amylase and sucrose, and is high in unbound fructose compared to glucose.
The enzyme amylase converts starch and dextrin into simple sugars, and sucrose into fructose and glucose.
The fructose content is higher than the glucose content in the mixture, which is responsible for honey to be liquid. A situation where the glucose is higher than fructose results in the crystallization of homey.
Physiologically, it is fructose that honey contains which is absent in sugar that limits the rise in blood sugar levels.
Fructose is absorbed by the portal system of the liver and almost completely transported to the liver, where it is converted into stored glycogen, which can be used when needed.
Therefore, fructose activates glycogen synthetase and inhibits the kinase involved in glycogen degradation, so the presence of fructose helps to reduce glucose production.
We all love honey. However, many consumers are unable to tell, have not seen, can’t correctly identify, or are unsure if it is natural honey or caramelized (burnt) sugars.
Natural honey from honeybees is a well-known and accepted food and medicine for humans.
In the meantime, we have discovered that most honey consumers are unable to distinguish pure natural honey.
Many people use this fact to sell fake and adulterated honey to the public, and this has engulfed the entire supply chain. Consumption of this type of so-called *”honey”* could be harmful to the body’s organs.
For the benefit of readers of this column and consumers, I confirm here that Tropicalbee honey is made from 100 percent natural honey from over three decades of tropical beekeeping by the producers, and the product is 100 percent, natural honey.
- Dr. Bidemi Ojeleye is the Founder/Coordinating Director of the Centre for Bee Research & Development (CEBRAD), and the Chief Servant of Tropicalbee Honey, Ile Ife, Osun State.
