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Nutrition and daily life

Honey: natural sweetness, with care

Honey is a much-loved part of the Azerbaijani table. But raw (unprocessed) honey can carry bacterial spores and yeasts, which is an infection risk during neutropenia. This section explains how to use honey safely during treatment.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Golden honey on a dark table.
Figure 1.Sealed honey — Honey: natural sweetness, with care

01Short answer

During neutropenia avoid raw honey, honeycomb and unprocessed honey from markets or beekeepers. Usually only heat-treated (pasteurised) honey in a sealed jar, or honey baked into food, is advised; follow your team's rules. Honey is sugar: with diabetes or on steroids it raises blood sugar. Honey does not cure leukemia or "boost" immunity. Never give honey to children under 1 year. Use a clean spoon in the jar every time.

02Simple explanation

No raw honey in neutropenia.

Heat-treated, sealed.

In baking: fine.

Honey is sugar.

03Scientific explanation

Studies: raw honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores and yeasts; heat treatment lowers the risk.

ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.

NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.

04What happens in the body?

For coughs

Honey can ease coughs in adults, but it is not a treatment.

Honeycomb in shadow, a sealed jar in light.
Figure 2.Honeycomb aside — Honey: natural sweetness, with care

Mouth sores

Ask your team about honey for sores; medical-grade honey is a separate product.

Honey drizzled into warm porridge.
Figure 3.Honey in porridge — Honey: natural sweetness, with care

Dietitian

If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.

Food safety

Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

05Nutrition: four steps

Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.

Assess — Weight and appetite.1AssessWeight and appetite.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Cook — Hot throughout.3CookHot throughout.
Eat regularly — Small portions.4Eat regularlySmall portions.
StrengthEnergy.
ProteinFor muscle.
SafetyFood rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
For coughsHoney can ease coughs in adults, but it is not a treatment.
Mouth soresAsk your team about honey for sores; medical-grade honey is a separate product.
DietitianIf you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safetyFood-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

07Key terms

Pasteurised honey
Honey that has been heat-treated.
Honeycomb
Honey in wax cells.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Protein
A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Avoid raw honey.
  • Sealed and heat-treated.
  • Count it as sugar.
  • A diet is not a treatment.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

Isn't village honey better?

It may taste better, but it is risky during neutropenia.

Can I put honey in tea?

Heat-treated honey in hot tea is usually fine.

Can a special diet cure leukemia?

No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Isn't village honey better?

  2. Can I put honey in tea?

  3. Can a special diet cure leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  2. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  3. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
  4. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  5. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium — Fact Sheet for Consumers
  6. World Health Organization (WHO). Anaemia — fact sheet
  7. World Health Organization (WHO). Cancer: Carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat (Q&A)
  8. NHS. Can reheating rice cause food poisoning?
  9. U.S. FDA. Bad Bug Book: Phytohaemagglutinin (kidney bean lectin)
  10. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — The Nutrition Source. Legumes and Pulses
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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