By: Amb. Agim Godwin Apple
The practice of cooking honey with other medicinal herbal remedies is wrong completely because honey automatically becomes poisonous to the body when heated on temperature above 60°c.
While honey can generally be enjoyed safely, it’s important to note that excessive heat can indeed alter its properties and potentially make it unsafe to consume.
Medically, heating honey above around 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit) can lead to a number of issues.
When honey is heated, it undergoes a process called thermal degradation.
In this process, the heat can cause the honey to lose some of its beneficial enzymes, antioxidants, and other health-promoting properties.
Additionally, heating honey can also lead to the formation of harmful byproducts, such as hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Consuming honey with high levels of HMF has been linked to potential health risks.
It’s worth mentioning that the temperature at which honey becomes dangerous may vary, but as a general guideline, it’s best to avoid excessively heating or cooking honey.
If you’re using honey as a sweetener or ingredient in cooking or baking, it’s a good practice to add it to your dish once it has cooled down to avoid subjecting it to high temperature.
Remember, honey is perfectly safe to consume at room temperature or when used for cold applications like spreading on bread or adding to beverages.
In my tenure as an SSA to Governor of Cross River State Nigeria, on Honey Bee Project, I produced research and articles that helped the public to identify and avoid adulterated honey.
Heat-sensitive individuals or those with specific dietary restrictions may want to consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice regarding honey consumption.
If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask as a comment on this article or contact through the email [email protected]