Tag: Nectar safety

While honey is widely consumed by humans, it is a common misconception that all flower nectar is drinkable directly from the flower. The safety of consuming flower nectar depends heavily on the specific plant species, as some nectars contain toxic compounds. The sweet liquid that bees collect is a raw material that they chemically alter to make honey, adding enzymes and reducing water content.

Over 70% of some plant nectars are simple sugar and water, but this fact can be deceptive. Is eating nectar bad for you? The answer depends entirely on the flower and the safety precautions taken, as the hidden presence of toxic compounds in certain nectars poses a significant health risk to humans.