Literature Library

A curated collection of peer-reviewed honey research, graded by the strength of evidence behind every claim.

20 Peer-reviewed studies
9 Research categories
8 Countries represented
2020-2026 Publication years
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METABOLIC HEALTH

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.

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LIVER & KIDNEY HEALTH

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.

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CANCER RESEARCH

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.

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RESPIRATORY & COUGH RELIEF

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.

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ANTIBACTERIAL PROTECTION CANCER RESEARCH

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.

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ANTIBACTERIAL PROTECTION

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.

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ANTIOXIDANT SUPPORT

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.

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COMPOSITIONAL / AUTHENTICITY STUDY

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.

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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.