Honey for Diarrhea: What a 1985 Study Found and What It Means Now
Honey for diarrhea sounds surprising, since honey can loosen stools in some people. Yet researchers have studied honey as an ingredient in oral rehydration drinks for decades. A well-known 1985 study reported that honey in rehydration solution shortened bacterial diarrhea in children. This article explains that research and newer work, why the findings are limited, and the most important safety rules, including never giving honey to babies. For gut health in general, see honey for digestion.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
The main risk of diarrhea: dehydration
Diarrhea causes the body to lose water and salts. In young children and older adults, dehydration can become serious quickly. That is why oral rehydration solutions, which contain a precise balance of salts and sugar, are the cornerstone of diarrhea care worldwide.
Sugar in those solutions helps the gut absorb sodium and water. This is where honey's sugars came into the research.
The 1985 study on honey for diarrhea
In 1985, researchers published Honey in the treatment of infantile gastroenteritis in the British Medical Journal. They replaced glucose with honey in the rehydration solution given to infants and children with gastroenteritis in hospital.
They reported that honey shortened the duration of bacterial diarrhea compared with the standard solution, while not lengthening viral diarrhea. The study was done under medical supervision.
- Setting: hospital, with medical staff
- Method: honey replaced glucose in rehydration solution
- Finding: shorter bacterial diarrhea in that group
- Limits: one older study, specific conditions
Why that study does not mean babies should have honey
Current health guidance is clear: never give honey to babies under 12 months. The CDC explains that honey can carry Clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause infant botulism, a serious illness.
Older research does not change that advice. Parents should follow their pediatrician's guidance for any infant with diarrhea and use only approved rehydration products.
Later research
Since 1985, smaller studies in different countries have looked at honey in rehydration or as an add-on to standard care for children over 1, with some positive reports. Many of these studies are small and vary in quality.
Researchers have suggested honey's lab activity against some bacteria might play a part, but that has not been proven in the gut. Our article on honey antibacterial properties explains the lab side.
Honey can also loosen stools
Here is the twist. Honey contains extra fructose, and in some people unabsorbed fructose draws water into the bowel. That can make diarrhea worse rather than better, particularly in people with fructose malabsorption or IBS.
Our article on whether honey is low FODMAP explains why. So honey for diarrhea is not a simple home remedy.
What helps most with diarrhea
These steps are widely recommended:
| Step | Why |
|---|---|
| Oral rehydration solution | Replaces water and salts in the right balance |
| Small, frequent sips | Easier to keep down than large amounts |
| Continue normal eating when possible | Supports recovery |
| Hand washing | Reduces spread to others |
| Medical care for warning signs | Dehydration can become serious |
When to get medical help
Seek medical care for diarrhea that lasts more than two days in adults, any diarrhea in a young baby, signs of dehydration such as very little urine or dizziness, high fever, blood in the stool or severe pain.
Children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems should get help sooner.
Do not make your own rehydration drink
Homemade sugar and salt mixtures can easily be wrong, and too much sugar can make diarrhea worse. Ready-made oral rehydration solutions from a pharmacy are the safest choice.
Honey after recovery
Once you are feeling better and eating normally, honey can return to your table as a food. A little in tea or on toast is a gentle way to enjoy sweetness again.
Why honey for diarrhea interests researchers
Researchers became interested in honey for diarrhea for two reasons. First, its glucose and fructose can help the gut absorb salt and water, just as glucose does in standard rehydration solutions. Second, honey shows activity against certain bacteria in lab tests.
Those reasons are plausible, but plausibility is not proof. Large modern trials of honey for diarrhea are lacking, and standard rehydration remains the recommended approach.
Honey for diarrhea while traveling
Travelers sometimes ask about honey for diarrhea on the road. The best travel advice is still to pack oral rehydration salts, drink safe water and seek care for warning signs. Honey is a pleasant food once you feel better, not a substitute for proper rehydration.
Our honey is food
Al Safa makes raw honey for the kitchen, never heated above hive temperature. It is not a treatment for diarrhea or any illness.
When you are well, explore our honeys in the shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Honey in the treatment of infantile gastroenteritis (British Medical Journal, 1985) · PubMed
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit (infants and toddlers) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Is Honey Good or Bad for IBS? · Healthline
Frequently asked questions
- Does honey help diarrhea?
- An older study found honey in rehydration solution shortened bacterial diarrhea in children in hospital. It is not a proven home treatment.
- Can I give honey to my baby with diarrhea?
- No. Never give honey to babies under 12 months. See a pediatrician and use approved rehydration products.
- Can honey make diarrhea worse?
- Yes, for some people. Excess fructose in honey can draw water into the bowel.
- What should I drink when I have diarrhea?
- Oral rehydration solution is best. Small, frequent sips help.
- When is diarrhea an emergency?
- Seek care for signs of dehydration, blood in stool, high fever, severe pain, or diarrhea in a young baby.
- Should I add honey to a rehydration drink?
- Not without medical advice. Use ready-made oral rehydration solutions from a pharmacy.
- Is honey for diarrhea safe for adults?
- Small amounts are safe for most adults, but honey may worsen loose stools in some people. Rehydration comes first.
- Does manuka honey help diarrhea?
- There is no good human evidence that manuka or any other honey treats diarrhea. Follow standard rehydration advice.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.