Lemon juice with honey can offer numerous health benefits when consumed in moderation. However, it can cause hyperglycemia, as both lemon juice and honey contain natural sugars. Lemon juice contains fructose and glucose, while honey contains fructose, glucose, and sucrose. These free sugars get rapidly absorbed by the body, spiking blood glucose levels.
Ways of optimising the consumption of honey
• Try adding plant-based sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit etc to lemon juice. These alternatives also have zero calories.
• Avoid adding additives or sweeteners to lemon juice to prevent glucose spikes.
• Although honey and simple sugar can add flavour to your food and drinks, they can also increase your blood sugar levels. Therefore, it’s essential to consume them in moderation.
The typical carbohydrate content of honey is around 82-85%, with the remaining portion consisting of water, vitamins, minerals, and other minor components. When consumed in excess, the free sugars can overload the body’s insulin response, leading to insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Having lemon juice with honey in moderation can help regulate your glucose levels.