If you enjoy eating yogurt, adding honey instead of sugar may offer additional benefits for digestive health, according to two studies conducted in the United States.
Yogurt already contains several nutrients that can benefit overall health. For instance, one cup of yogurt provides nearly half of the daily recommended intake of calcium, which plays an important role in maintaining strong bones.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found in two separate studies that adding honey to yogurt may support the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
In the first study, researchers tested four different varieties of honey by administering them to animals along with yogurt. Samples including saliva and stomach acid were analysed during the study.
The findings indicated that honey helped promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. The researchers reported that the effect was observed with all four varieties of honey tested.
The researchers then conducted a clinical trial involving humans to determine whether the findings could be replicated. A total of 66 healthy adults were enrolled in the trial. Participants were also asked to complete questionnaires about their mood, cognitive function and overall health.
The results showed that adding honey to yogurt promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and appeared to extend their survival. However, despite the increase in beneficial bacteria, the researchers found no significant effects on bowel function, mood or brain activity.
The researchers subsequently included another 36 participants in the study and had them consume yogurt with added sugar instead of honey.
Based on their findings, the researchers said that adding one tablespoon of honey to yogurt may help support beneficial bacteria in the gut. However, they noted that the observed benefits were related specifically to the gut bacteria and did not translate into measurable changes in mood, brain function or intestinal function in the trial.
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