Is Honey Good in Hot Water? What Science Says

January 13, 2026 •

3 min read

According to nutrition experts, while adding honey to hot water is generally safe, excessively high temperatures can degrade some of its beneficial properties, a fact that challenges a long-held myth about heated honey. This article explores whether is honey good in hot water and clarifies the optimal temperature for preparation.

Quick Summary

Heating honey in excessively hot water, particularly boiling, can degrade its enzymes and antioxidants, reducing its nutritional value. The ideal temperature is warm, not boiling, to preserve its health benefits. Mixing honey properly ensures you get the most out of its potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties for soothing a sore throat or providing digestive support.

Key Points

Temperature Matters: Adding honey to boiling water can destroy beneficial enzymes and antioxidants, diminishing its nutritional value.
Use Warm Water: For maximum benefit, use water that is warm, not boiling, to preserve honey's natural compounds.
Ayurveda vs. Modern Science: While Ayurvedic traditions warn against heating honey to avoid toxicity, modern science attributes the concern to nutrient degradation, not toxicity.
Honey vs. Sugar: Honey offers trace nutrients and is sweeter by volume than refined sugar, allowing for less to be used.
Enhanced Benefits: Combining honey with warm water can soothe sore throats, support digestion, and boost hydration.
Check for Raw: Raw, unprocessed honey provides the most benefits but is also the most susceptible to heat degradation.

The Truth About Honey and Heat

For centuries, honey has been a staple in home remedies, praised for its soothing properties and potential health benefits. A popular method of consumption is dissolving it in hot water, often with lemon or ginger. However, the exact effects of heat on honey are a topic of much discussion, with some claiming it becomes toxic and others arguing it's perfectly fine. The truth lies in the details of the heating process.

What Happens When You Heat Honey?

When honey is heated, especially to high temperatures, its chemical composition begins to change. The primary concern is the degradation of enzymes and antioxidants, which are sensitive to heat. Raw, unprocessed honey, which contains beneficial compounds like bee pollen, propolis, and a rich array of enzymes, is most susceptible to this degradation. A study published in the journal AYU found that heating honey to 140°C affects its nutritional value and can lead to potentially harmful effects. Specifically, heating honey above 40°C destroys a key enzyme called invertase, which helps break down sugars.

Another change is the increase of a compound called hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). While HMF occurs naturally in honey, its concentration increases significantly when exposed to high heat. The compound has been a subject of research for its potential health effects, but moderate consumption from properly prepared honey water is not a cause for concern.

The Ayurveda Controversy

Some traditional systems of medicine, like Ayurveda, have cautioned against heating honey. Ayurvedic texts claim that heated honey becomes 'ama' or toxic and can lead to deleterious effects. Modern science, while noting the degradation of nutrients, does not support the claim that heated honey becomes poisonous. The Ayurvedic perspective likely stems from observing the loss of beneficial properties and the change in chemical composition at high temperatures, which is sound advice for preserving honey's quality, even if the 'toxic' label is not scientifically accurate in the modern sense.

How to Prepare Honey Water Safely

To get the most out of your honey and its natural properties, the preparation method is key. The goal is to use warm water, not boiling hot water. Allowing boiling water to cool for a few minutes before adding honey is a simple but effective way to protect its delicate compounds.

Boil and wait: Boil the water, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes to cool down to a warm temperature, ideally below 70°C (158°F).
Dissolve gently: Stir the honey into the warm water until it fully dissolves.
Add other ingredients: For flavor and additional benefits, you can add lemon juice or a pinch of cinnamon after the honey is dissolved.

This method ensures you get all the flavor and potential health benefits without compromising the honey's integrity.

Honey vs. Sugar in Hot Beverages

For those looking for a healthier alternative to refined sugar, honey is often the preferred choice. While both are primarily sugar, they have distinct differences, especially in hot beverages like tea or coffee.

Comparison Table: Honey vs. Sugar


Feature	Honey (in Warm Water)	Table Sugar (Sucrose)
Processing	Minimally processed, contains natural enzymes and antioxidants.	Highly refined, devoid of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds.
Nutritional Value	Contains trace amounts of vitamins, minerals (magnesium, potassium), and antioxidants.	Contains no vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants.
Impact on Blood Sugar	A mix of fructose and glucose (40% and 30%, respectively) that is absorbed more slowly, leading to a less dramatic blood sugar spike.	50% fructose and 50% glucose, causing a more rapid blood sugar spike.
Sweetness	Sweeter than sugar by volume, so you can use less for the same effect.	Less sweet by volume, requiring more to achieve the same level of sweetness.
Antimicrobial Properties	Possesses natural antibacterial properties.	Has no antibacterial properties.

The Takeaway

Ultimately, the question of whether to put honey in hot water depends on your priorities. If your goal is simply to sweeten a beverage, adding honey to hot water is fine. However, if you are looking to maximize the potential health benefits of raw honey, using warm water is the superior approach. Boiling hot water will neutralize many of the delicate enzymes and antioxidants that make honey a more nutritious option than refined sugar.

In conclusion, is honey good in hot water? Yes, as long as it isn't boiling. Using warm water preserves the honey's valuable properties, offering a soothing and beneficial experience. For those with a sensitive palate, keeping the water temperature in check also protects honey's delicate flavor profile from caramelizing.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, hot water does not make honey toxic. The idea that heated honey is poisonous, often cited in some cultural traditions like Ayurveda, is not supported by modern science. The primary effect of high heat is the degradation of beneficial enzymes and antioxidants.

The best temperature is warm, not boiling. Heating water below 70°C (158°F) helps dissolve the honey while preserving its nutrients and antibacterial properties.

Drinking honey in warm water as a substitute for high-calorie, sugary drinks may aid in weight management by reducing overall calorie intake. Some studies have also explored its potential to regulate appetite.

If you're seeking the maximum health benefits, raw honey is better as it contains more enzymes, pollen, and antioxidants. However, pasteurized supermarket honey has already been heat-treated, so mixing it with hot water won't cause further degradation.

Yes, you can, but it's best to let your tea or coffee cool slightly before adding honey. This prevents the high temperature from neutralizing the honey's beneficial compounds.

Yes, heating honey, particularly to high temperatures, can alter its delicate flavor and aroma by causing it to caramelize. To best preserve the flavor, use warm, not boiling, water.

Raw honey will often crystallize over time and may contain small particles of pollen or honeycomb. Pasteurized honey, heated to prevent crystallization, is typically clear and smooth.