Honey Benefits for Men: Separating Facts From Online Hype

What honey offers as a food

Honey provides about 64 calories and 17 grams of sugar per tablespoon. It contains small amounts of antioxidants and trace minerals. For men, as for everyone, it is a sweetener with a little extra character compared with refined sugar.

The American Heart Association suggests men keep added sugars to about 36 grams a day, roughly two tablespoons of honey at most, and less if other sweets are in the diet.

Honey and testosterone claims

Online articles often say honey raises testosterone, pointing to its boron or to chrysin, a flavonoid. Most supporting studies were done in rats, often using large doses. Human research is very limited and has not shown meaningful testosterone changes from eating honey.

Chrysin, for example, has been studied as a supplement, and human studies found it did not raise testosterone, likely because it is poorly absorbed.

• Testosterone claims rely mostly on animal studies.
• Chrysin supplements did not raise testosterone in human studies.
• Boron in honey is present only in small amounts.
• No good human trial shows honey boosts testosterone.

Beware enhancement honey products

The FDA has issued many warnings about so-called royal honey or enhancement honey sachets sold online and in stores. Testing found some contained hidden prescription drug ingredients such as sildenafil or tadalafil, which can interact dangerously with heart medicines like nitrates.

These are not ordinary honey. If a honey product promises sexual enhancement, avoid it. The FDA's public notifications on tainted products list examples.

Honey benefits for men who exercise

Honey is a simple carbohydrate that is easy to digest. Some endurance athletes use honey as a natural fuel during long workouts, similar to energy gels. Studies have found honey can perform comparably to other carbohydrate sources for endurance exercise.

Our article on honey for energy covers sports use in more detail.

Heart health for men

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in men. A 2023 review found honey was linked with small improvements in some blood fats in short trials, though results were low certainty. Our article on honey and cholesterol explains the findings.

The most important heart habits for men are not smoking, staying active, managing weight, eating plenty of plants and controlling blood pressure.

Prostate and fertility claims

You may see claims that honey supports prostate health or male fertility. These come from lab or animal studies, sometimes involving bee pollen or propolis rather than honey. There is no good evidence that eating honey improves prostate health or fertility in men.

Men with urinary symptoms or fertility concerns should see a doctor.

Honey benefits for men with diabetes

Men with diabetes or prediabetes should count honey as carbohydrate. It raises blood sugar like other sugars. Our article on honey vs sugar and blood sugar has details.

Simple ways to use honey

Use honey where flavor matters: a glaze for grilled chicken or salmon, a drizzle on Greek yogurt with nuts, a spoon in coffee or tea, or a touch in a salad dressing. Small amounts deliver a lot of taste.

The honest summary

Honey benefits for men are real but modest: good flavor, a handy carbohydrate for exercise and a slightly better profile than refined sugar. It is not a testosterone booster or performance drug. Treat any product claiming otherwise with suspicion.

Honey benefits for men: the weight question

Many men are trying to manage weight. Honey adds calories like any sweetener, so it helps to think in swaps rather than additions. Replacing a sugary energy drink or soda with water and a small spoon of honey in tea can cut a lot of sugar.

Our article on honey and weight management reviews what research says.

Honey benefits for men in the kitchen

Many of the best honey benefits for men are about cooking. Honey caramelizes well on the grill, balances spicy rubs and sauces, and adds depth to marinades. Dark honeys like buckwheat stand up to smoky and savory flavors.

Using honey in savory cooking also tends to involve smaller amounts per serving than desserts.

Raw honey, plain and simple

Al Safa sells pure raw honey with nothing added, never heated above hive temperature. No enhancement claims, just honey.

Browse the range in our shop.