What Happens When You Consume Too Much Honey?

January 14, 2026 •

3 min read

An American Heart Association study recommends limiting daily added sugars, including honey, to a maximum of 6 teaspoons for women and 9 for men. So, what happens when you consume too much honey and exceed this limit?

Quick Summary

Excessive honey consumption, like any added sugar, can lead to several adverse health effects. This can include digestive problems, weight gain, increased blood sugar, and potential dental issues due to its high calorie and sugar content.

Key Points

Blood Sugar Spikes: Consuming too much honey can cause significant spikes in blood sugar, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and complications for diabetics.
Digestive Distress: The high fructose content in honey can lead to digestive issues like bloating, cramping, and diarrhea, especially for people with IBS.
Risk of Weight Gain: Despite being natural, honey is high in calories and sugar, and excessive intake can contribute to weight gain over time.
Poor Dental Health: The sugary, sticky nature of honey provides food for bacteria, promoting tooth decay and cavities if consumed excessively.
Infant Botulism Risk: Honey should never be given to infants under one year old due to the risk of botulism from Clostridium botulinum spores.
Potential Allergic Reactions: Individuals with bee pollen allergies may experience symptoms ranging from mild to severe when consuming raw honey.

The Surprising Consequences of Excessive Honey

While honey is often touted as a healthier alternative to processed sugar, it is still a form of concentrated sugar and calories. When consumed in moderation, its antioxidant and antibacterial properties offer some benefits. However, consuming too much honey can have significant health consequences, including metabolic disturbances and digestive distress.

Impact on Blood Sugar and Insulin

Excessive honey consumption significantly impacts blood sugar levels. Honey, a blend of glucose and fructose, is quickly absorbed, causing a spike in blood glucose. This is particularly risky for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance, potentially leading to chronic hyperglycemia and damage to organs. High sugar intake, even from honey, can also induce insulin resistance, hindering the body's ability to regulate glucose and increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Digestive Issues and Fructose Overload

Due to its high fructose content, honey can cause digestive problems, particularly for those with IBS or fructose malabsorption. Unabsorbed fructose ferments in the gut, causing symptoms like:

Bloating
Cramping
Diarrhea or constipation
Gas

Honey is a high-FODMAP food, and limiting intake is crucial for individuals with sensitive digestive systems to prevent discomfort and worsening symptoms. Even without pre-existing conditions, a large amount of honey can overload the digestive system.

Weight Gain and Excess Calories

A tablespoon of honey contains about 64 calories, and consuming multiple servings daily adds up quickly. Excessive calorie intake leads to weight gain, and diets high in added sugars, including honey, are linked to obesity. The blood sugar fluctuations from sugar intake can also increase hunger, potentially leading to overeating and further weight gain.

Dental Health Deterioration

Honey, being sticky and sugary, poses a risk to dental health. It is about 82% sugar, feeding oral bacteria that produce acids eroding enamel. This sticky residue promotes tooth decay and cavities over time. Regular excessive honey intake, especially without good oral hygiene, can damage dental health.

Comparison of Excessive Honey vs. Table Sugar Effects


Aspect	Excessive Honey Consumption	Excessive Table Sugar Consumption	Key Difference
Composition	Primarily fructose and glucose, plus trace antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.	Primarily sucrose (glucose and fructose) with no nutritional value.	Honey contains trace nutrients, but its sugar content is what drives adverse effects.
Blood Sugar Impact	Causes blood sugar spikes, particularly for diabetics. Antioxidants may offer a slight protective effect, but it is still a sugar.	Causes sharp blood sugar spikes and crashes, similar to honey, but with fewer potential mitigating factors.	Both are detrimental in excess, though honey's micronutrients don't offset its high sugar load.
Digestive Impact	High fructose content can trigger bloating, cramping, and diarrhea, especially in sensitive individuals.	No specific fructose-related malabsorption issues, but overall excess sugar can cause digestive upset.	Honey's specific fructose profile makes it a high-FODMAP food, a unique trigger for some.
Allergy Risk	Small risk of allergic reactions (e.g., wheezing, swelling) in individuals sensitive to bee pollen.	No allergy risk related to bee products, only to the sugar itself, though sugar allergies are rare.	Unique risk of pollen allergy with honey, though both present minimal risk compared to other issues.
Infant Risk	Life-threatening botulism risk due to Clostridium botulinum spores; should not be given to infants under 1.	No infant botulism risk, but general health risks for infants from sugar intake remain.	Honey poses a specific, severe risk to infants that regular sugar does not.

Natural Toxins in Honey

Rarely, raw honey can contain natural toxins like grayanotoxin from certain plants. This can cause 'mad honey' poisoning with symptoms like dizziness, weakness, perspiration, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and irregular heart rhythms. Sourcing honey from reputable beekeepers is important.

The Crucial Importance of Moderation

In conclusion, while honey offers benefits in moderation, overconsumption can lead to significant health issues. Treat honey like any other added sugar and limit intake, following guidelines such as the American Heart Association's recommendation of no more than 6-9 teaspoons of total added sugars daily. Being mindful of overall sugar intake is key. Honey is not a 'free' food and requires careful consideration. Opt for high-quality, raw honey and use it sparingly. Consult a healthcare professional about sugar intake or health conditions. More information on safe sugar limits is available from the American Heart Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

The American Heart Association recommends that women and children consume no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugars per day, while men should limit their intake to 9 teaspoons. This includes honey and other added sweeteners. Exceeding this daily limit consistently is considered excessive.

Excessive honey consumption can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time, especially if you have a genetic predisposition. Honey is a sugar and causes blood sugar spikes; chronic high intake can lead to insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

Early signs of consuming too much honey can include digestive issues like bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and diarrhea, particularly for individuals with fructose sensitivity. Other indicators may include increased hunger and a rise in blood sugar levels.

No, raw honey is not safer in large quantities. While it contains more antioxidants than processed honey, it is still a concentrated source of sugar and calories. Excessive intake of raw honey poses the same risks as regular honey, such as weight gain and metabolic issues.

Yes, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to honey, especially raw honey that may contain trace amounts of bee pollen. Allergic symptoms can range from wheezing and dizziness to more severe reactions like anaphylaxis.

Yes, eating too much honey can cause weight gain. Honey is calorie-dense, and its high sugar content means excess intake contributes to a calorie surplus, which can lead to weight gain over time.

Mad honey poisoning is a rare form of toxicity caused by honey from bees that have foraged on rhododendron flowers. The nectar contains grayanotoxin, which can cause symptoms like low blood pressure, dizziness, and vomiting. This is not a risk with most commercially available honey.