Should Athletes Eat Honey?

Why this Super Food is Great for Active Individuals

Honey is a sweet, thick, sticky liquid that is produced by bees from flower nectar and pollens. Although honey is comprised of between 70 and 80 percent sugar, it is easy for the human body to absorb and – true organic honey – is packed full of a lot of nutritional value. Aside from sugar, honey also contains water, acids, proteins and other substances that can be very beneficial to our overall health as well as help to enhance the performance of the human body for athletes and other active individuals.

What Nutritional Value Does Honey Possess?

As mentioned earlier, honey is primarily made up of sugar but it also contains a number of other substances that are beneficial to the human body. Honey is considered a high-carbohydrate food – one tablespoon of raw, organic honey contains 60 calories as well as 17 grams of carbohydrates. While this may not be ideal for those looking to lose weight, this amount of protein packed in such a small serving is perfect for performance athletes. Honey also contains little to no fat as well as traces of different vitamins and minerals.

Why Honey is Great for Athletes

Many athletes know that consuming carbohydrates before or during their workouts can help to improve their overall performance and help their body work more effectively. Many times, carbohydrates consumed before a workout consist of a solid food snack while during the workout carbohydrates are often found in sports drinks and other liquid supplements. The delivery of the carbohydrates, whether through solid food or liquid, will serve different purposes and be absorbed into the body differently.

In order to simplify their carbohydrate intake, athletes usually turn to gels both before and during their workouts. Sports gels, however, can have a very chemical like taste – with the “natural” food movement that is happening throughout our culture, many athletes are looking for more natural, wholesome alternatives. Today, athletes are adding raw honey to their water, homemade sports bar recipes, and even using honey as a sports gel to fuel their efforts.