Honey as an Energy Boost

by Kelsey
(USA)

I had an interesting question pop into my mailbox from Kelsey, USA. Her question is one that is asked frequently and as more of you may benefit from an indepth answer I am publishing both Kelsey's question and my reply.

Please always contact me if I can be of any further help to you.
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Jan

When I was in high school back in the late eighties, my track coach always told me to drink a tablespoon of honey before I ran the hundred yard dash.

But only if I hadn't any other events after the one hundred yard dash mainly due to the blood sugar level then dropping dramatically after I finished the burst of energy in the running event.

Is it true that your blood sugar levels go down even further after a while?

I am just curious due to the fact that my boyfriend had just had a spoonful of honey before we lifted today and he felt exhausted within thirty minutes of his workout.

I told him my story about track and then I was just curious if this was the reason.

I would love to know if you have any information on this topic. BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL DROPPING after eating honey and benefiting from it but then it drops very low to feel that TIRED feeling?

Thanks for your time and wealth of information.

Kelsey

Hello Kelsey and thank you for this enquiry. It is great that even back in the eighties you had a track coach who recognized honey as a powerful sports supplement.

Now let me answer your question for you. Honey will definitely give you a super power boost before undergoing any type of exercise however, as I always state on my website, it is important to eat or drink this along with other healthy foods; we cannot live by honey alone.

Previous studies have shown that the combination of carbohydrates and protein supplements are beneficial to boosting muscle recovery, but they did not look at what type of carbohydrates.

Using honey as the carbohydrate source, researchers found that when it is combined with a protein supplement, subjects maintained better glucose levels or blood sugar levels, which is an important part of post-workout recovery.

Dr Richard Kreider, lead author of the study and director of the Exercise and Sports Laboratory at the University of Memphis, Tennessee says:

"The beneficial thing with honey is that it helped maintain glucose levels positively after 2 hours of workout"

I think it is very admirable that you and your boyfriend workout and use honey to keep you fit and healthy however, if I may suggest, it is important to eat the right foods for muscle building and all over general health.

Eat a meal with a good source of protein around an hour before, take your honey around half an hour before and drink more of it immediately after and you should feel great.

If this is an ongoing problem which is worrying you and should not under normal circumstances be happening, it is important to have this checked out by your own doctor as there maybe a hidden underlying cause.

Thank you for your kind comments and maybe you would like to check out my Honey Diet, this certainly keeps me and my family fit and healthy.

My Warmest Regards to you both
Jan