August 21st, 2024
Staff Writer for Wake Up World
If you enjoy a bowl of plain yogurt in the morning, adding a spoonful of honey is a delicious way to sweeten your favorite breakfast food. According to two new studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, honey also supports the probiotic cultures in the popular fermented dairy product.
The Mediterranean Secret to Digestive Wellness
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The culinary pairing of yogurt and honey is common in the Mediterranean diet, renowned for its health benefits. Researchers were curious about how this combination impacts the gastrointestinal microbiome. “We were interested in the culinary pairing of yogurt and honey, which is common in the Mediterranean diet, and how it impacts the gastrointestinal microbiome,” said Hannah Holscher, associate professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Illinois and co-author of the studies published in The Journal of Nutrition.
Probiotics and Digestive Health
Greek yogurt and other yogurts contain probiotic strains such as Bifidobacterium animalis and conventional yogurt starter cultures. These probiotics can promote digestive health, support regular bowel movements, and positively affect mood and cognition. “The enzymes in our mouth, stomach, and intestines help with digestion and facilitate nutrient absorption, but they also reduce the viability of microbes. That’s great when it’s pathogens but not necessarily when it comes to beneficial bacteria,” Holscher explained.
How Honey Supports Probiotics
In the first study, researchers tested the effect of four different kinds of honey (alfalfa, buckwheat, clover, and orange blossom) on the viability of B. animalis in yogurt through simulated digestion processes. They discovered that yogurt with honey, particularly the clover variety, helped support the survival of probiotics in the intestinal phase of digestion.
Real-World Application: The Clinical Study
To validate their laboratory findings, researchers conducted a clinical study with 66 healthy adults. Participants consumed yogurt with clover honey and pasteurized, heat-treated yogurt for two weeks each. They provided stool samples, information about their bowel movements, and completed questionnaires on mood, cognition, and overall well-being.
“Our findings showed that pairing honey with yogurt supported the survival of the yogurt’s probiotic bacteria in the gut, so the lab study results did translate to real-world application in humans,” Holscher stated. However, no changes were observed in intestinal transit time, bowel movement frequency, or mood and cognition measures, likely because the participants were already healthy with regular bowel movements.
The Ancient Wisdom of Honey: A Time-Traveling Elixir for Your Microbiome
Did you know that our cells carry billions of years of biological information, and what we eat can activate or leave this information dormant? This idea, beautifully captured by Thich Nhat Hanh, reflects our deep biological connections. Our bodies, with cells tracing back to a last universal common ancestor (LUCA) from 3.5 to 3.8 billion years ago, are more microbial than human. These microbes play crucial roles in digestion, immunity, and even cognition.
Honey has been a vital part of human diets for millennia. Upper Paleolithic rock art shows early humans collecting honey, highlighting its importance. Honey contains beneficial microbes, like lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacilli), which support our health. A 2012 study in PLoS revealed an 80-million-year-old symbiosis between honeybees and these bacteria, suggesting that consuming honey has replenished our microbiomes throughout evolution.
In modern times, raw, wild-harvested honey helps restore our disrupted microbial balance, offering numerous health benefits. Incorporating honey into your diet, especially with probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, can support digestive health and nurture your microbiome. This ancient wisdom helps us reconnect with our evolutionary heritage, promoting a healthier, more balanced state of being.
Enhancing Your Yogurt Experience
To further support gut health, consider making a yogurt parfait by adding fiber-rich toppings such as berries, seeds, or nuts and drizzling a bit of honey on top. This not only enhances flavor but also promotes a healthier microbiome.
Incorporate this simple, delicious combination into your diet to enjoy the best of both worlds: taste and health. The ancient wisdom of the Mediterranean diet continues to reveal its secrets, showing us how natural ingredients like honey and yogurt can work together to support our well-being.
Article References:
- Honey Added to Yogurt with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DN-173 010/CNCM I-2494 Supports Probiotic Enrichment but Does Not Reduce Intestinal Transit Time in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial. The Journal of Nutrition, 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.05.028
- Honey Varietals Differentially Impact Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Survivability in Yogurt through Simulated In Vitro Digestion. The Journal of Nutrition, 2024; 154 (3): 866 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.01.010
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How Raw Honey Could Save Your Microbiome (and Travel Back In Time) – https://wakeup-world.com/2023/05/08/how-raw-honey-could-save-your-microbiome-and-travel-back-in-time
About the author:
John Patterson is an avid writer and researcher who delves into the latest scientific research. With an insatiable curiosity, he translates complex concepts into accessible narratives, allowing readers to embark on a journey of discovery. Through his work, John bridges the gap between experts and the public, igniting curiosity and inspiring meaningful conversations about scientific breakthroughs.
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