Literature Library
A curated collection of peer-reviewed honey research, graded by the strength of evidence behind every claim.
Filters & Sort
Filters & Sort
2025
High evidence(Randomised controlled trial)
A Honey Drink Helped Patients' Stomachs Empty Faster Before Surgery
Honey group showed faster gastric emptying
Reduced thirst nausea and pain after surgery
Higher cortisol and interleukin 6 levels
No significant difference in blood glucose
Tarčuković, J. et al. (2025). Croatian Medical Journal, 66(3), 204-212.
Read more →2026
High evidence(Controlled clinical study or regulatory approval)
A Trial Found Honey Closed 97 Percent of Wounds in Twelve Weeks
Honey closed 97% of wounds vs 63% with saline
No bacteria detected in honey group by week 12
Granulation tissue reached 90% vs 70% saline
Lower inflammation and pain, higher satisfaction
Tita, B. V., Ika, C. S., Ambe, N. F., Endeley, B. F., & Ngunde, P. J. (2026). Health Science Reports, 9(1), e71719.
Read more →2025
Highest evidence(Systematic review or meta-analysis)
A Review of 69 Trials Finds a Sweet Spot Honey Dose of 10 Grams a Day
10 grams of honey daily linked to lower HbA1c
Higher honey doses linked to raised blood pressure
Royal jelly lowered LDL and blood pressure
Propolis improved glycemic control, liver health
Norouzzadeh, M. et al. (2025). Nutrition and Diabetes, 15(1), 48.
Read more →2023
Highest evidence(Systematic review or meta-analysis)
A Review of 18 Human Trials Found Honey Raised Good Cholesterol
Honey raised HDL cholesterol, high certainty
Lowered fasting glucose and LDL cholesterol
Raw and clover honey outperformed processed honey
Raised inflammatory markers IL 6 and TNF alpha
Ahmed, A. et al. (2023). Nutrition Reviews, 81(7), 758-774.
Read more →2021
Preliminary evidence(In vivo animal model)
Honey Protected Kidneys and Livers From a Common Drug's Harm In Rats
Prevented gentamicin induced kidney damage, rats
Protected liver enzymes and protein levels in rats
Restored antioxidant enzymes, lowered MDA in rats
Six phenolics in honey, gallic acid most abundant
Laaroussi, H. et al. (2021). Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2021, 9719906.
Read more →2020
High evidence(Randomised controlled trial)
Honey Fights Cancer Cells in the Lab, But Proof in Humans Is Thin
Honey slowed growth of many cancer cell types
Reduced mucositis from cancer radiation therapy
Honey plus drug outperformed drug alone in trial
Effects linked to honey's phenolic compounds
Afrin, S. et al. (2020). Nutrition Research Reviews, 33, 50-76.
Read more →2023
Good evidence(Controlled clinical study or regulatory approval)
A Study of 834 Adults Finds Honey Eased Coughs Within Five Days
Lower cough severity in honey group by day five
Fewer follow up visits for respiratory symptoms
Lower overall symptom score with honey by day five
Sleep and cough frequency trends not statistically significant
Ouaamr, A. et al. (2023). CJOHNS, 58(5), 873-885.
Read more →2020
Preliminary evidence(In vitro laboratory study)
One Saudi Sidr Honey Beat Penicillin Against E Coli in Lab Test
Honey produced spherical silver nanoparticles
One honey outperformed penicillin on E coli
Splenic cell effects varied by honey source
Reduced HepG2 cancer cell growth in vitro
Ghramh, H.A., Ibrahim, E.H., & Kilany, M. (2020). Food Science & Nutrition, 8(1), 445-455.
Read more →2024
A Review Finds Most Honey Clinical Trials Skipped Basic Quality Checks
Only 5 of 28 honey clinical trials used raw honey
DN and HMF heat markers checked in only one trial
Real biological activity tested in only two trials
Honey botanical origin rarely reported in trials
Majtan, J. (2024). Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1433786.
Read more →2024
Preliminary evidence(In vitro laboratory study)
Carob Honey Tops Six Eastern Moroccan Varieties in Antioxidant Tests
Carob had highest phenolic and flavonoid levels
Antioxidant activity tracked phenolic/flavonoid
Compounds bound antioxidant enzyme in models
Samples met international quality standards
Abeslami, A. et al. (2024). Agriculture, 14, 1540.
Read more →2022
(Compositional / Authenticity Study)
A Protein Only Bees Can Make Turns Up in Every Moroccan Honey Tested
Apalbumin 1 found in every single sample tested
Potassium was the dominant mineral in all samples
Wide variation in polyphenol and flavonoid content
Physicochemical parameters met purity standards
Lyoussi, B. et al. (2022). Journal of Food Quality, 2022, Article ID 6045792, 12 pages.
Read more →A Tayab Note
At Tayab, we believe nature and science are not in conflict. Each study in this library is reviewed for scientific rigour and relevance, helping us honour tradition through evidence.