Is Rowse Honey Good for Diabetics? What You Need to Know

January 7, 2026 •

4 min read

While some honeys have a slightly lower glycemic index than table sugar, all honey, including commercial brands like Rowse, will raise blood sugar levels. Diabetics must manage their carbohydrate intake carefully, and honey is still considered a concentrated source of sugar.

Quick Summary

Honey, including Rowse, must be consumed with caution by diabetics due to its high sugar and carbohydrate content, which can cause blood sugar spikes. Moderation and counting it as part of a daily carbohydrate allowance are essential for those with well-managed diabetes.

Key Points

Blood Sugar Impact: Rowse honey, like other honeys, is a concentrated sugar source that will raise blood glucose levels significantly, requiring cautious consumption for diabetics.
Moderation is Essential: Diabetics must count honey as part of their total carbohydrate intake and limit consumption to very small, occasional amounts.
Minimal Nutritional Advantage: The trace antioxidants in honey do not provide enough benefit to outweigh the risks associated with its high sugar content for diabetics.
Risk of Spikes: Consuming large quantities of honey, even with a lower GI than table sugar, can still cause dangerous blood sugar spikes.
Better Alternatives Exist: Zero-calorie, natural sweeteners like Stevia and Monk Fruit are safer alternatives for satisfying a sweet craving without affecting blood sugar.
Consult a Professional: Always speak with a healthcare provider or dietitian for personalized advice before incorporating honey or any new sweetener into a diabetic diet.

Understanding Honey and Diabetes

For individuals with diabetes, managing blood sugar levels is a daily priority. Many people wonder if natural sweeteners like honey are a healthier alternative to refined sugar. A common question concerns specific commercial brands, such as, "Is Rowse honey good for diabetics?" The short answer is that while honey may have a slightly lower glycemic index (GI) than refined sugar, it is still a concentrated source of sugar and carbohydrates that will impact blood glucose levels. This means that Rowse honey, like any other honey, must be consumed with caution and in strict moderation.

How does Rowse Honey affect blood sugar?

All honey is primarily composed of simple sugars, mainly fructose and glucose. Rowse Runny Honey, for example, contains approximately 81.5 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams, with 80.8 grams of that being sugar. When consumed, these sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream, causing an increase in blood glucose. While honey has a lower GI (around 50) compared to table sugar (around 65-80), this difference is not significant enough to make it a free-for-all for diabetics. The key takeaway is that honey is not a sugar-free product and its impact on your blood sugar is a factor that must be considered in your daily carb counting.

Potential Benefits and Significant Risks

Some studies have highlighted minor potential benefits associated with honey, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, experts point out that you would need to consume an unhealthy amount of honey to gain these benefits, and you can find antioxidants in much safer, nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables. For a diabetic, the risks of consuming honey, especially a processed commercial product like Rowse, far outweigh these potential, minimal benefits.

Risks of consuming honey with diabetes:

Blood Sugar Spikes: Despite the lower GI, honey still contains a high concentration of carbohydrates and can cause significant blood sugar spikes, particularly if consumed in large quantities or on an empty stomach.
Long-Term Control Issues: Regular, unmonitored honey consumption can affect your long-term blood sugar control, impacting your HbA1c levels.
Potential Added Sugars: Some commercial honeys, although Rowse doesn't explicitly state this, may contain added syrups or sugars, further exacerbating the blood sugar issue.
Caloric Density: Honey is more calorically dense than table sugar, which can impact weight management, a crucial part of diabetes control.

Comparing Sweeteners for Diabetics

To put the impact of Rowse honey into perspective, consider how it stacks up against other sweeteners. For a person with diabetes, focusing on low-GI or zero-calorie sweeteners is the safest approach.


Feature	Rowse Honey (Commercial)	Table Sugar (Sucrose)	Stevia/Monk Fruit (Pure)
Primary Carbohydrate	Fructose & Glucose	Sucrose (Glucose & Fructose)	None
Glycemic Index (GI)	~50 (Moderate)	~65-80 (High)	0 (None)
Impact on Blood Sugar	Can cause significant rise	Causes rapid spike	None
Calories (per tbsp)	~64 calories	~46 calories	0 calories
Nutrients	Trace antioxidants/vitamins	None	None
Diabetic Suitability	Use with extreme caution and moderation	Avoid	Excellent, in moderation

How to Safely Include Honey (or Smarter Alternatives)

If your diabetes is well-managed and you choose to occasionally consume honey, careful planning is key. The consensus from healthcare professionals is that honey should be treated like any other added sugar.

Tips for consuming honey responsibly:

Strict Portion Control: Limit yourself to very small amounts, such as a single teaspoon, and only on occasion.
Carbohydrate Counting: Always count the carbohydrates from honey as part of your total daily intake.
Monitor Your Response: Check your blood sugar levels before and after consumption to see how your body individually reacts.
Pair Strategically: Combine honey with high-fiber or protein-rich foods to help slow down sugar absorption. For example, a tiny drizzle on whole-grain toast with nut butter.

Diabetic-friendly sweetener alternatives:

Stevia: A natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from a plant, with a GI of zero.
Monk Fruit: Another natural, zero-calorie option with a GI of zero, derived from a melon.
Whole Fruits: Use fruit purees or mashed bananas to sweeten dishes, benefiting from the fiber, vitamins, and minerals they contain.
Erythritol: A sugar alcohol that is calorie-free and does not raise blood sugar, though some may experience digestive issues.

Conclusion: The Bottom Line for Diabetics

For those with diabetes, Rowse honey is not a good choice for regular consumption. It is a concentrated source of natural sugars that can still cause unwanted blood sugar spikes and affect overall glucose control. While it may contain trace nutrients, these do not make it a healthier alternative to refined sugar in the context of diabetes management. The best approach is to minimize or avoid honey, reserving it for rare, strictly controlled indulgences if your diabetes is otherwise well-managed. Prioritize safer, zero-calorie sweeteners like Stevia or Monk Fruit, or use whole fruits for natural sweetness to protect your long-term health. Always consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet to ensure your choices align with your personal health needs and treatment plan. For more information on managing diet with diabetes, you can explore resources like those available at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

While Rowse honey is marketed as pure, commercial honey products are often processed. The primary issue for diabetics is not necessarily added sugar but the natural sugar content itself, which is still very high and impacts blood glucose.

For diabetics with well-managed blood sugar, a very small amount, such as half to one teaspoon, may be acceptable on rare occasions. It should be strictly controlled, counted as a carbohydrate, and not consumed daily.

Honey is not significantly better than table sugar for diabetics. Although it has a slightly lower glycemic index, both are concentrated sugars that will raise blood glucose. The nutritional benefits of honey are minimal and do not cancel out its sugar content.

Consuming too much honey can cause a significant and dangerous spike in blood sugar levels. In the long term, frequent or excessive consumption can negatively affect overall diabetes management and HbA1c levels.

The best sweeteners for diabetics are non-nutritive, zero-calorie options that do not affect blood sugar, such as pure Stevia extract and Monk Fruit extract. Natural alternatives like mashed fruit can also be used, offering fiber and other nutrients.

Honey can act as a fast-acting carbohydrate to treat a low blood sugar episode (hypoglycemia). However, patients should follow their doctor's specific recommendations for treating hypoglycemia, which often involves a precise amount of glucose.

The Rowse website primarily advertises runny honey, but any raw, unprocessed honey would also raise blood sugar levels. While raw honey may retain more antioxidants, its fundamental sugar composition and glycemic effect are not changed enough to be a 'safe' option for daily diabetic use.

If you choose to use honey, measure it precisely using a teaspoon and track the carbohydrate content. You can find nutritional information for products like Rowse honey on the manufacturer's or retailer's website.

No, honey is not a necessary part of a healthy diet for diabetics. All nutritional benefits can be obtained from other foods without the high sugar and carbohydrate load. It is considered an 'added sugar' and should be limited.