Adding Honey to Yogurt May Support Gut Health, Research Finds

ISLAMABAD: Adding honey to yogurt instead of sugar may provide benefits for the digestive system and support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, according to two research studies conducted in the United States.

Yogurt is already considered a nutritious food, containing several nutrients that can benefit overall health. For example, one cup of yogurt can provide nearly 50 percent of the daily calcium requirement, which is important for maintaining healthy bones.

Two separate studies conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois found that adding honey to yogurt may help beneficial bacteria in the digestive system grow and survive for longer.

In the first study, researchers tested four different varieties of honey using an animal model. By examining saliva, stomach acid and other samples, they found that honey promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. The researchers reported that the effect was observed with all four varieties of honey.

A second study was conducted as a clinical trial involving 66 healthy adults to determine whether the findings could also be observed in humans.

Participants were instructed to consume yogurt twice a week, with honey added to the yogurt on one of those occasions. Researchers collected stool samples and assessed participants’ intestinal functions. They also used questionnaires to evaluate mood, cognitive functions and overall health.

The results showed that consuming yogurt with honey supported the growth and survival of beneficial bacteria in the gut. However, the researchers found no significant effects on intestinal function, mood or cognitive activity.

The researchers subsequently included another 36 participants, who consumed yogurt with sugar instead. Their samples were compared with the previous results, further indicating that the combination of yogurt and honey could have beneficial effects on gut bacteria.

According to the researchers, adding one tablespoon of honey to yogurt may help support beneficial bacteria in the digestive system.

The findings of both studies were published in The Journal of Nutrition.