Does honeycomb have carbs? Unpacking its nutritional profile

December 6, 2025 •

4 min read

Honeycomb is a natural product where bees store raw honey within hexagonal beeswax cells. Given that honey is primarily composed of natural sugars, honeycomb is indeed a high-carbohydrate food.

Quick Summary

Honeycomb is a high-carbohydrate food because it consists of raw honey, which is almost pure sugar and water. The edible beeswax, which holds the honey, contributes a small amount of dietary fiber.

Key Points

High-Carbohydrate Content: Honeycomb is a high-carb food because it consists mainly of natural sugars (fructose and glucose) from the honey it holds.
Primary Source is Honey: The vast majority of the carbohydrates come directly from the raw honey stored in the comb's hexagonal cells.
Beeswax Provides Fiber: The edible beeswax in the comb contains fatty alcohols and acids, not carbs, and contributes a small amount of dietary fiber or roughage.
Lower Glycemic Impact than Sugar: Due to its unprocessed nature and other components, honeycomb might have a less dramatic effect on blood sugar compared to refined table sugar, though it will still raise blood glucose levels.
Nutrient-Rich Profile: Besides carbs, raw honeycomb also contains trace amounts of antioxidants, enzymes, and minerals that are not present in refined sugars.
Enjoy in Moderation: Given its high sugar content, honeycomb should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Not for Infants: Due to the risk of botulism spores, honeycomb is not safe for children under 12 months of age.

Understanding Honeycomb's Composition

To answer the question, "Does honeycomb have carbs?" it is essential to first understand its basic composition. Honeycomb is a structure made by honeybees from secreted beeswax, designed to store their food reserves, including honey and pollen. Therefore, a piece of honeycomb is not a single ingredient but a combination of several natural components, with the most dominant being raw honey and beeswax. The carbohydrate content comes almost entirely from the raw honey stored within the comb's cells. Because it is unprocessed, honeycomb also contains trace amounts of other elements like bee pollen, propolis, and enzymes, all of which contribute to its unique nutritional profile.

The Primary Carbohydrate Source: Raw Honey

Raw honey, which makes up the bulk of the edible portion of honeycomb, is composed of 95–99% sugar and water. The carbohydrates in honey are primarily simple sugars: fructose and glucose. These are the same basic building blocks of table sugar but are present in a different ratio and often accompanied by trace minerals and vitamins in their raw form. When you eat a piece of honeycomb, it's the honey-filled cells that deliver a significant and immediate carbohydrate load to your system. This makes honeycomb a high-energy food, prized for centuries as a natural sweetener. However, it also means that those monitoring their carbohydrate or sugar intake should be mindful of their consumption.

The Role of Beeswax and Trace Elements

The waxy part of the honeycomb is also edible and contributes to the food's overall makeup, but not in the form of carbohydrates. Beeswax is composed of long-chain fatty acids and alcohols, and it passes through the digestive system largely unabsorbed, functioning as a form of dietary roughage or fiber. The amount of beeswax in a serving of honeycomb is small, so its fiber contribution is minimal, but it does add to the unique texture. In addition to the honey and wax, honeycomb contains small amounts of:

Bee pollen: A source of vitamins, minerals, and protein.
Propolis: A resin-like material with antioxidant properties.
Enzymes: These are naturally occurring in raw honey and destroyed by processing.

The Nutritional Breakdown: Comparing Honeycomb to Sugar

To put honeycomb's carbohydrate content into perspective, it's helpful to compare it with other common sweeteners. While honeycomb is high in carbs, the overall nutritional impact can be different due to the presence of other compounds.

Honeycomb vs. Refined Sugar


Feature	Raw Honeycomb (approx. per tbsp)	Refined Table Sugar (approx. per tbsp)
Carbohydrates	17-23g	13g
Sugars	16-23g	13g
Dietary Fiber	0-1g (from wax)	0g
Other Nutrients	Antioxidants, enzymes, trace minerals	None
Processing	Unprocessed, in its natural state	Heavily processed
Glycemic Impact	Can be lower than sugar, depending on type	High, causes sharp blood sugar spike

Why the Difference in Impact Matters

While honeycomb and refined sugar both deliver carbohydrates, their effect on the body can differ. The natural compounds in raw honey, such as the enzymes and antioxidants, along with the fiber from the beeswax, may contribute to a slightly lower glycemic response compared to processed sugar. This means it may cause a less dramatic spike in blood sugar levels, though it will still raise them. This nuance is why some people prefer honeycomb as a natural sweetener, using less to achieve the same level of sweetness.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Honeycomb

Since honeycomb is a source of concentrated carbohydrates, moderation is crucial, especially for those watching their sugar intake.

Pair with other foods: Enjoy honeycomb with foods rich in protein or fiber, such as cheese, nuts, or yogurt, to help slow the absorption of sugar.
Use it as a garnish: A small slice of honeycomb can add a rich, sweet flavor and a delightful texture to salads, oatmeal, or charcuterie boards.
Substitute for processed sugar: For some, using a smaller amount of honeycomb in place of refined sugar can be a more flavorful and potentially healthier option.

Conclusion

In summary, does honeycomb have carbs? Yes, in significant amounts. The carbohydrates come primarily from the raw honey stored within the beeswax cells, which are rich in natural sugars like glucose and fructose. The honeycomb's beeswax component, while edible, provides a small amount of dietary fiber rather than carbohydrates. Despite its high sugar content, the unprocessed nature of honeycomb, along with its antioxidants and trace nutrients, distinguishes it from refined table sugar. For those who wish to enjoy this unique and flavorful delicacy, the key is to consume it mindfully and in moderation, appreciating it as a concentrated source of natural sugars and energy. For more information on the processing of honey, a useful resource is the blog post by Pass the Honey on Honeycomb vs Honey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, honeycomb is a high-carbohydrate food because it consists of raw honey, which is 95-99% sugar and water. Therefore, the bulk of its caloric content comes from natural sugars.

The carbohydrates in honeycomb are primarily simple sugars, specifically fructose and glucose, which are the main components of the raw honey stored in the comb.

No, the beeswax is not a source of carbohydrates. It is composed of fatty alcohols and acids and acts as a source of dietary fiber or roughage that passes through the digestive system.

While still high in sugar, honeycomb is a less processed alternative to refined sugar and contains beneficial antioxidants, enzymes, and trace nutrients that are removed during the processing of table sugar.

Honeycomb's natural sugars will increase blood sugar levels. However, the presence of other components in the comb may lead to a slower and less dramatic spike compared to consuming refined sugar.

People with diabetes can consume honeycomb, but only in very small, controlled amounts and with consultation from their healthcare provider, as it does raise blood sugar.

It is generally safe for adults, but due to the potential presence of C. botulinum spores, it should never be given to infants under 12 months of age. People with bee product allergies should also be cautious.