Is it better to put honey in hot or cold water?

January 7, 2026 •

2 min read

According to research from the National Institutes of Health, excessive heat can degrade some of honey's beneficial compounds, like antibacterial agents. This crucial detail is key to understanding whether it is better to put honey in hot or cold water for maximum health benefits.

Quick Summary

The temperature of water significantly impacts honey's nutritional properties and flavor. While honey dissolves more easily in warm water, temperatures that are too high can destroy beneficial enzymes and antioxidants. This makes lukewarm water the optimal choice for preserving honey's health benefits, although cold water also has specific uses.

Key Points

Lukewarm is best: Using lukewarm water (around 37-50°C) is ideal as it dissolves honey well without destroying its heat-sensitive enzymes and antioxidants.
Avoid boiling water: High temperatures, especially boiling, can degrade honey's beneficial enzymes and reduce its antibacterial properties.
Cold water preserves nutrients: While slower to dissolve, cold water perfectly preserves all of raw honey's nutritional compounds.
Raw honey matters: For the most potent health benefits, use raw, unfiltered honey, as commercial processing often involves heat that already diminishes its nutritional profile.
Know your goals: Choose your water temperature based on your goal: lukewarm for soothing and absorption, cold for maximum nutrient preservation.
Consider the 'why': The health benefits of honey depend on more than just temperature, including the honey's origin and how it was processed, emphasizing the importance of quality.

The Science of Temperature and Honey

The debate over adding honey to hot or cold water is centered on how temperature affects its natural composition. Honey contains enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and antimicrobial compounds. The temperature of your water influences these components.

The Impact of Hot Water (Specifically, Boiling Water)

Mixing honey with boiling hot water can diminish its nutritional value. High temperatures, particularly above 40°C (104°F), degrade enzymes like diastase and invertase, which are crucial for honey's digestive benefits. The enzyme glucose oxidase, which contributes to honey's antibacterial properties by producing hydrogen peroxide, can also be compromised by heat. High heat alters honey's flavor by caramelizing sugars and causing aromatic compounds to evaporate. Heating honey above 60°C (140°F) also leads to the formation of HMF (Hydroxymethylfurfural), an indicator of heat processing. When adding honey to hot drinks like tea, it's best to let the beverage cool before adding honey.

The Case for Cold Water

Cold water preserves all heat-sensitive nutrients and enzymes in raw honey. However, honey dissolves slowly in cold water, potentially resulting in an unevenly sweetened drink. Cold honey water does not offer the same soothing effect for sore throats as a warm drink. While cold water preserves honey's prebiotics and enzymes, it lacks the digestive stimulation provided by warm water.

The Optimal Middle Ground: Lukewarm or Warm Water

Lukewarm water, ideally between 37-50°C (86-122°F), is often recommended. This temperature range allows honey to dissolve easily and promotes better nutrient absorption without degrading heat-sensitive compounds. Warm honey water also provides a soothing effect for sore throats.

Comparison Table: Honey in Hot vs. Cold Water


Feature	Hot (Boiling) Water	Cold Water	Lukewarm/Warm Water
Nutrient Preservation	Poor	Excellent	Excellent
Dissolvability	Excellent	Poor	Good
Soothing Properties	Yes, but can damage honey's medicinal properties	No	Excellent
Digestive Benefits	Less effective	Good	Optimal
Flavor	Can become caramelized	Preserves original flavors	Enhances aromas

Making the Best Choice for You

The best choice depends on your objective. A warm (not hot) honey and lemon water is good for sore throats. Cold water is suitable for preserving enzymes or a refreshing drink. Lukewarm honey water in the morning can aid digestion. For maximum health benefits, use raw, unfiltered honey, as processing can reduce its natural goodness. More on the chemistry of honey can be found on Wikipedia.

Conclusion

While adding honey to water is beneficial, boiling water degrades its properties. Cold water preserves nutrients but dissolves slowly. Lukewarm water is the best balance for easy dissolution and nutrient retention, offering a soothing and healthy drink. Choosing the right temperature helps maximize honey's benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, boiling or excessively hot water can destroy honey's delicate enzymes, antioxidants, and antimicrobial compounds, thereby diminishing its medicinal properties.

Yes, it is safe, but for the best health benefits, let your tea cool to a warm, drinkable temperature before adding the honey. This prevents the heat from degrading its beneficial enzymes.

Mixing honey with cold water ensures that all of its nutrients, including heat-sensitive enzymes and vitamins, are fully preserved. It's a great way to stay hydrated and get a boost of antioxidants.

This practice is often used to kickstart metabolism, aid digestion, and detoxify the body. The lukewarm temperature is soothing and helps with nutrient absorption on an empty stomach.

Yes, you can, but be aware that baking temperatures will almost certainly destroy most of honey's enzymes and antioxidants. In this case, it primarily acts as a sweetening agent, not a health supplement.

The idea that heating honey makes it toxic is a long-standing myth, often linked to Ayurvedic beliefs. While excessive heating creates HMF and degrades nutrients, it does not make the honey poisonous for human consumption.

For maximum health benefits, raw, unprocessed honey is superior. It has not been heated to high temperatures during commercial processing and thus retains more natural enzymes, pollen, and antioxidants.