Honey & Bee Products · Honey
Acacia Honey
Honey from Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust) nectar · also called Black locust honey, false acacia honey, Robinia honey
Acacia honey is a pale, mild honey that bees make mostly from the nectar of the black locust tree. Never give any honey, acacia included, to a baby under 12 months: it can cause infant botulism. Honey is a sugar food. The one trial in people found no cough benefit over a placebo syrup, and most other evidence is about honey in general or comes from the lab and animals.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Acacia Honey
Acacia honey is a pale, mild honey made by bees mostly from black locust nectar. Safety first: never give any honey to a baby under 12 months because of infant botulism. Honey is a sugar food, it can cause allergy in some people, and it is not a wound dressing. The only trial of acacia honey in people found no benefit for children's cough compared with a placebo syrup. Most other findings are about honey in general or come from lab and animal work.
What it is
Acacia honey usually means honey bees make mostly from the nectar of the black locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia, accepted by GBIF). The tree is also called false acacia, so the name can confuse. Not every product sold as acacia honey is the same: a Malaysian study used the label "Malaysian acacia honey" and its abstract does not say it comes from black locust.
It is a light honey. In a Romanian study of eight honeys, acacia honey had the highest fructose-to-glucose ratio, which the authors link to a sweeter taste and a lower chance of setting hard. The estimated glycemic index across the eight honeys, calculated from sugar content, ranged from 43.91 to 62.68. That is a calculation, not a test in people.
What the research shows
One randomised trial used acacia honey. In 161 children aged 1 to 5 in Japan with a cold cough, acacia honey and a honey-flavoured placebo syrup gave the same improvement over two nights.
The wider honey research is about honey in general. A Cochrane review found a small cough benefit for a few days in children, and a meta-analysis found honey better than usual care for cold symptoms, but the authors call the evidence not strong and the honey types were not separated.
Everything else on acacia honey is from the lab, cells, computer modelling or animals. It shows no effect in people.
Quality and buying
Honey fraud is documented. A 2026 study says acacia honey is frequently mixed with cheaper sugar syrups, added directly or fed to bees, and that feeding is hard to detect. A review says the methods keep changing, with no rates given.
A jar cannot show this. The word acacia on a label does not prove what is inside, and words like raw or natural are not safety claims.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Honey in general has been a home remedy for cough and wounds in many places; the sources read describe no traditional medical use specific to black locust honey.
- The World Health Organization has listed honey as a possible cough treatment (noted in a 2022 trial abstract).
Studied for research
- Night-time cough in children aged 1 to 5 (acacia honey): no benefit over placebo, against
- Cough and cold symptoms (honey in general): mixed
- Blood sugar and heart markers (honey in general): mixed
- Burns and wounds (honey dressings in general): mixed
- Antibacterial activity (lab only): very low
- Antioxidant and DNA protection (lab and non-human): very low
- Immune-cell signals (mouse cells): very low
- Stress-related changes (rats): very low
Main compounds
- Fructose and glucose, the main sugars
- Phenols and flavonoids, including hesperetin and pinocembrin named as markers of natural acacia honey in one study
- Freshness and maturity markers such as HMF and proline
Common forms
- Liquid strained honey, the usual jar product
- Raw or less-heated honey (not safer for babies)
- Creamed honey and comb
- Sterile honey dressings (a separate medical product)
Research links: WHO: Botulism · NHS: Botulism · WHO: Healthy diet (free sugars) · Acacia honey cough trial in children (abstract) · Cochrane: honey for cough in children (abstract) · Cochrane: honey for wounds (abstract) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Acacia honey (honey made mainly from black locust nectar)
- Naming authority
- Plant: Robinia pseudoacacia L. (GBIF accepted name)
- Synonyms
- Black locust honey; False acacia honey; Robinia honey; Pseudoacacia honey
- Common names
- Acacia honey (English); Black locust honey (English); False acacia honey (English)
- Family or group
- Source plant: Fabaceae (pea family). The honey is made by bees, not a plant.
- Classification
- Plantae (source plant) > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Fabales > Fabaceae > Robinia > Robinia pseudoacacia
- Native range
- Not checked in the sources read.
- Habitat
- Not checked.
- What it looks like
- Flowers: Nectar from black locust flowers is the main source (by definition of the honey).
- Cultivation
- Not checked.
- Harvest and processing
- Usually sold as liquid strained honey; also raw (less heated), creamed or in comb; sterile honey dressings are a separate medical product (existing AlternativeMed summary; not re-checked).
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Other honeys sold as "acacia"; Note: Labels do not prove origin. A 2026 study says acacia honey is frequently adulterated with cheaper sugar syrups.; Name: "Malaysian acacia honey"; Note: Studied in rats; the abstract does not say it is from black locust.
Photographs
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Honey in general, many places | The WHO has listed honey as a possible treatment for cough (stated in a 2022 trial abstract), and a 2026 lab paper says honey has been appreciated for medicinal properties since ancient times. No source read describes a traditional medical use specific to black locust honey. | p35927828 |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fructose and glucose | sugars | Honey Acacia honey had the highest fructose-to-glucose ratio of the five honey types in one Romanian study. | Make honey sweet; a higher fructose-to-glucose ratio is linked by the authors to a lower chance of setting hard and a lower estimated glycemic index. 3 | Lab analysis |
| Hesperetin PubChem 72281 | flavanone | Honey (marker in natural acacia honey, one Chinese study) Not given in the abstract. | At 50 micromolar promoted mouse spleen lymphocyte growth and reduced NO and TNF-alpha in stimulated mouse macrophage cells (lab). 15 20 | Laboratory research |
| Pinocembrin PubChem 68071 | flavanone | Honey (marker in natural acacia honey, one Chinese study) Not given in the abstract. | Same cell findings as hesperetin in the same study (lab). 15 21 | Laboratory research |
| Phenols and flavonoids (total) | polyphenols | Honey Natural acacia honey scored higher than commercial acacia honey on total flavonoids and phenols in one study; honeydew and meadow honeys had the highest phenols of five types in another. | Linked by authors to antioxidant and antibacterial activity in the lab. 15 16 9 | Laboratory research |
| Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and proline | freshness and maturity markers | Honey Acacia honey had the lowest HMF of the five varieties in a Romanian study; all samples were above the proline quality threshold of 180 mg/kg. | Used as quality and authenticity markers, not health effects. 3 | Lab analysis |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial effect in dishes | The authors link antibacterial activity to polyphenols and acidic pH. This is a correlation in a lab study. 9 | Laboratory research | |
| Free-radical scavenging and DNA protection | Honeys reduced radical-induced DNA damage in vitro; acacia honey was strongest in one non-human model. 16 | In vitro / non human | |
| Immune-cell signals | MMP9, MMP2, BCL2, SRC; PI3K-AKT pathway (predicted) | Computer modelling suggested hesperetin and pinocembrin might act on these targets; cell tests showed lower NO and TNF-alpha in mouse macrophage cells. 15 | In silico / in vitro |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not studied for acacia honey in the sources read.
- Distribution
- Not studied.
- Metabolism
- Not studied.
- Elimination
- Not studied.
- Bioavailability
- Not studied.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Honey is a whole food. Findings for isolated flavones (hesperetin, pinocembrin) in cells do not show what whole honey does in people. Findings for honey of other types, or for sterile medical honey dressings, do not carry over to jar acacia honey.
Nutritional composition
Honey is mostly sugar. WHO counts sugars naturally present in honey as free sugars to be limited. A 2025 Romanian analysis found acacia honey had the highest fructose-to-glucose ratio of its five varieties and estimated glycemic index values of 43.91 to 62.68 across eight honeys (a calculation, not a test in people).
3 mixed findings1 low certainty4 very low certainty1 evidence against
What was looked at
The 9 benefits and uses checked for Acacia Honey, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Night-time cough in young children (acacia honey)Evidence against
- Cough in children (honey in general)Mixed findings
- Symptoms of colds and upper respiratory infections (honey in general)Low certainty
- Blood sugar, blood pressure, blood fats and inflammation markers (honey in general)Mixed findings
- Wound and burn healing (honey dressings in general)Mixed findings
- Antibacterial activity (lab dishes)Very low certainty
- Antioxidant and DNA-protective findings (lab and non-human)Very low certainty
- Immune-related signals and acacia honey quality markers (cells and computer modelling)Very low certainty
- Stress-related changes in rats (Malaysian "acacia honey")Very low certainty
Lab markers tracked in the studies
Night-time cough scoreCough frequency scoreHbA1cFasting blood glucoseTime to heal a partial-thickness burn
What is Acacia Honey good for?
What people ask about, and how strong the human evidence is. Where a result is about honey in general, not acacia honey, it says so. None of it is proof, and all of it should be read with the safety section.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Night-time cough in young children (acacia honey)
Evidence againstThe one trial that used acacia honey, in 161 children aged 1 to 5 with a cold cough, found it no better than a honey-flavoured placebo syrup. Both groups got better.
1 studiesAcacia honey given in the hour before sleep on 2 nights; the amount i…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One multicentre, randomised, double-blind trial in Japan in 161 children aged 1 to 5 (78 honey, 83 placebo syrup) over 2 nights.
Results
Both groups improved on both nights. There were no significant differences between acacia honey and the placebo syrup for night-time cough or sleep difficulty.
Effect sizes as reported
No difference between groups.
Why this rating
One trial, acacia-specific, found no benefit over placebo. A single short trial in young children cannot rule out small effects, but it gives no support to the claim.
Form and dose studied
Acacia honey given in the hour before sleep on 2 nights; the amount is not in the abstract.
Who was studied
Children aged 1 to 5 with a cold cough, Japan.
Limits
Only 2 nights; parent-rated scores; one honey type; amount and funding not stated in the abstract.
Why researchers looked
Parents often reach for honey for a cold cough, and the World Health Organization has listed honey as a possible cough remedy. This trial asked whether acacia honey specifically helps children sleep and cough less at night.
Traditional use
Honey is a long-standing home remedy for cough in many places. The sources read do not describe a traditional medical use specific to black locust honey.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Honey is thought to soothe the throat, but this trial found no effect beyond placebo, so no mechanism is supported here.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Never give honey to babies under 12 months. This trial involved children aged 1 and older only.
Cough in children (honey in general)
Mixed findingsA Cochrane review of 6 small trials in 899 children found honey probably eases cough a little more than no treatment or placebo for up to three days. The authors say the evidence is not strong, and the honey types were mixed, so this is not about acacia honey in particular.
1 studiesHoney types and amounts not given in the abstract.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Cochrane systematic review (searched to February 2018): 6 randomised trials, 899 children aged 12 months to 18 years, treated as outpatients.
Results
Versus no treatment, cough frequency score was lower with honey (mean difference -1.05, 95% CI -1.48 to -0.62; moderate certainty). Versus placebo -1.62 (95% CI -3.02 to -0.22; moderate certainty). Similar to dextromethorphan and better than diphenhydramine (both low certainty). Up to three days honey was probably better than placebo; beyond three days probably no advantage. The authors conclude there was no strong evidence for or against honey.
Effect sizes as reported
About 1 to 1.6 points on a 7-point cough scale.
Why this rating
Reviewers rated some comparisons moderate and others low and conclude the evidence is not strong either way. Trials were small, short (mostly one night) and used mixed honey types. The only acacia trial found no benefit.
Form and dose studied
Honey types and amounts not given in the abstract.
Who was studied
Children aged 12 months to 18 years with acute cough, treated as outpatients.
Limits
Few small trials; two at high risk of bias; most children treated for one night; honey types not separated.
Why researchers looked
Honey is widely suggested for children's cough as an alternative to cough medicines.
Traditional use
Long-standing home remedy; the review tested honey of mixed types.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Not established in the review abstract.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Stomach symptoms were more common with honey than placebo (12% vs 11%; risk ratio 1.91). Nervousness, insomnia or hyperactivity were seen in 9.3% with honey vs 2.7% with dextromethorphan (not significant). Not for babies under 12 months.
Symptoms of colds and upper respiratory infections (honey in general)
Low certaintyA 2021 meta-analysis of 14 studies found honey eased cold symptoms and cough compared with usual care. Against placebo only 2 studies were pooled and the result could include no effect. It is not about acacia honey in particular.
1 studiesHoney types and amounts not stated in the abstract.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies in people with upper respiratory tract infections.
Results
Versus usual care: combined symptom score mean difference -3.96 (95% CI -5.42 to -2.51; 3 studies), cough frequency SMD -0.36 (95% CI -0.50 to -0.21; 8 studies), cough severity SMD -0.44 (95% CI -0.64 to -0.25; 5 studies). Versus placebo, combined symptoms SMD -0.63 (95% CI -1.44 to 0.18; 2 studies, I2 91%).
Effect sizes as reported
Small to moderate improvements against usual care; not clear against placebo.
Why this rating
Moderate overall risk of bias, comparison mostly against usual care (not a placebo), only two placebo studies, and high inconsistency. The authors call for more placebo-controlled trials.
Form and dose studied
Honey types and amounts not stated in the abstract.
Who was studied
People with upper respiratory tract infections; ages not stated in the abstract.
Limits
Honey types not separated, so nothing is shown for acacia honey specifically.
Why researchers looked
Overuse of antibiotics for colds is a problem, so cheap remedies for symptom relief are of interest.
Traditional use
Honey is a common home remedy for colds.
Proposed mechanism Authoritative guidance
The abstract says honey has antimicrobial properties but the review did not test a mechanism.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not for babies under 12 months; honey is sugar.
Blood sugar, blood pressure, blood fats and inflammation markers (honey in general)
Mixed findingsHoney is sugar. Trials of honey in general give mixed results: a possible lower HbA1c, but possible worse fasting glucose, blood pressure, triglycerides, a liver enzyme and an inflammation marker. Short sugar trials found no significant change in fasting glucose from honey. Nothing here is specific to acacia honey, and it does not show honey helps people with diabetes.
2 studiesHoney of mixed types; amounts not given as advice here.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
An overview of 69 randomised trials (3,544 people) of honey and other bee products, and a meta-analysis of 7 short trials (7 hours to 49 days) comparing sugar types.
Results
About 10 g of honey a day may lower HbA1c but may worsen systolic blood pressure, AST, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose and hs-CRP (overview, honey types not stated). In the sugar meta-analysis, honey had no significant effect on fasting glucose or insulin, while pooled sugars including honey raised uric acid (g 0.550, P = 0.028).
Effect sizes as reported
Not given in the abstracts.
Why this rating
Results point both ways, the honey types are not separated, effect sizes are not in the abstracts and the sugar trials were short. Nothing was tested on acacia honey.
Form and dose studied
Honey of mixed types; amounts not given as advice here.
Who was studied
Adults in trials of mixed health status; details not in the abstracts.
Limits
Honey types not separated; abstract-level reading only.
Why researchers looked
People ask whether honey is a better sweetener than sugar for blood sugar and heart health. Acacia honey has a high fructose-to-glucose ratio, so some ask if it is gentler on blood sugar.
Traditional use
Honey has been used as a sweet food and home remedy; the sources read describe no traditional use for blood sugar.
Proposed mechanism Lab analysis
Honey is a mix of fructose and glucose. A 2025 Romanian lab analysis estimated a glycemic index of 43.91 to 62.68 across its eight honeys; this was a calculation from sugar content, not a measurement in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Honey is a free sugar (WHO). People who manage blood sugar should ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Wound and burn healing (honey dressings in general)
Mixed findingsA Cochrane review found honey dressings healed partial-thickness burns about 4 to 5 days faster than conventional dressings. For most other wounds the results were unclear. No trial of acacia honey was found, and kitchen honey is not the same as a sterile medical dressing.
1 studiesHoney dressings or topical honey; the abstract does not separate medi…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Cochrane review of 26 trials (3,011 people) of honey in acute wounds, burns and chronic wounds.
Results
High-quality evidence (2 trials, 992 people) of faster healing of partial-thickness burns than with conventional dressings (about -4.68 days, 95% CI -5.09 to -4.28). Infected post-operative wounds healed faster than with antiseptic washes plus gauze. Effects were unclear for venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and minor acute wounds.
Effect sizes as reported
About 4.7 days faster for partial-thickness burns versus conventional dressings.
Why this rating
High quality for one burn comparison, but the authors say most other comparisons are low or very low quality and overall conclusions are hard to draw. Honey types and grades are not given in the abstract.
Form and dose studied
Honey dressings or topical honey; the abstract does not separate medical-grade from other honey, and acacia honey is not named.
Who was studied
People with burns, acute wounds and chronic wounds.
Limits
Review published 2015; honey type not specified; trial populations and comparators varied.
Why researchers looked
Honey has been used on wounds for centuries and some honey dressings are made as medical products.
Traditional use
Honey as a wound remedy is described in the review as used since ancient times.
Proposed mechanism Authoritative guidance
Not established in the review abstract.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not swap jar honey for medical wound care. See a clinician for wounds and burns.
Antibacterial activity (lab dishes)
Very low certaintyIn lab dishes, acacia and mixed-flower honey slowed bacteria including antibiotic-resistant strains. This is lab work only and does not show infections in people can be treated with acacia honey.
1 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Acacia and polyfloral honey were tested on Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, both lab strains and strains from patients. Effects differed by bacteria type; no numbers are given in the abstract.
Effect sizes as reported
Not given in the abstract.
Why this rating
Lab dishes only; no human trial of acacia honey for infection was found.
Limits
In vitro; abstract has no numbers.
Why researchers looked
Antibiotic resistance has renewed interest in honey as a complementary option.
Traditional use
Honey is described as prized for medicinal properties since ancient times.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
The authors link the effect to polyphenols and acidic pH; this is a correlation in a lab study.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not use food honey in place of treatment for an infection.
Antioxidant and DNA-protective findings (lab and non-human)
Very low certaintyHoneys of several types, acacia included, showed antioxidant activity in lab tests, and acacia honey showed the strongest DNA protection in one non-human model. This does not show a health effect in people.
1 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
All five honeys reduced free-radical DNA damage in vitro. Acacia honey showed the highest in vivo DNA-protective activity of the five, in a model whose species the abstract does not state. In antioxidant assays honeydew and meadow honeys led on two tests and acacia, wild cherry and sunflower on a third.
Effect sizes as reported
Not given in the abstract.
Why this rating
Lab and non-human model only; no human outcome.
Limits
Abstract-only reading; species not stated.
Why researchers looked
Honey contains phenols and other compounds with antioxidant activity in lab tests.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Phenolic content and radical-scavenging in lab assays.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not applicable.
Immune-related signals and acacia honey quality markers (cells and computer modelling)
Very low certaintyA Chinese study found that natural acacia honey scored higher than commercial acacia honey on several quality measures, and that two plant compounds (hesperetin and pinocembrin) affected immune cells from mice in lab dishes. It is mainly a quality-marker study, not evidence of a benefit in people.
1 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Hesperetin and pinocembrin at 50 micromolar increased mouse spleen lymphocyte growth and reduced NO and TNF-alpha release from stimulated mouse macrophage cells, with no obvious toxicity.
Effect sizes as reported
Not given in the abstract.
Why this rating
Mouse cells and computer modelling with isolated compounds; no human data.
Limits
Isolated compounds, not honey, were used in cell tests.
Why researchers looked
The authors wanted markers to tell natural acacia honey from lower-quality honey and to test possible immune effects.
Proposed mechanism In silico
Computer modelling suggested the compounds might act on targets such as MMP9, MMP2, BCL2 and SRC and the PI3K-AKT pathway. This is a prediction, not a measured effect.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not applicable.
Stress-related changes in rats (Malaysian "acacia honey")
Very low certaintyIn rats put under chronic mild stress, a Malaysian honey called "acacia honey" eased tissue damage and lowered inflammatory gene signals. The honey may not come from black locust, and rat findings do not show effects in people.
1 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Honey alone and with amitriptyline improved tissue damage and inflammatory signals in stressed rats; the combination gave the biggest improvement. Exact numbers are not repeated because the abstract text read is partly garbled.
Effect sizes as reported
Not given.
Why this rating
One rat study of a product that may be a different plant source.
Who was studied
Rats.
Limits
Animal only; honey source unclear; abstract partly garbled.
Why researchers looked
Researchers tested whether honey could soften the body effects of long-term stress in a rat model.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Lower IL-1 beta and TGF-beta 1 gene expression in gut and brain tissue was reported in rats.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not applicable.
Connections to the rest of health
How Acacia Honey connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immune system | Adverse effect or risk | Low certainty | Allergic reactions, rare but can be severe. Preparation or compound: Honey and bee products |
7 13 |
| Respiratory System | Biological association | Evidence against | Studied for: Night-time cough in young children (acacia honey) Studied for: Cough in children (honey in general) | 10 12 1 |
| Endocrine System | Biological association | Mixed findings | Studied for: Blood sugar, blood pressure, blood fats and inflammation markers (honey in general) | 11 4 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Mixed findings | Studied for: Blood sugar, blood pressure, blood fats and inflammation markers (honey in general) | 11 4 |
| Integumentary System | Biological association | Mixed findings | Studied for: Wound and burn healing (honey dressings in general) | 5 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Antibacterial activity (lab dishes) Studied for: Immune-related signals and acacia honey quality markers (cells and computer modelling) | 9 15 |
| Cellular System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Antioxidant and DNA-protective findings (lab and non-human) | 16 |
| Nervous System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Stress-related changes in rats (Malaysian "acacia honey") | 8 |
C. Body parts and organs
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HbA1c | Mixed findings | Possible lower HbA1c, other measures may worsen. Preparation or compound: Honey of mixed types |
11 | |
| Night-time cough score | Biological association | Evidence against | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 10 |
| Cough frequency score | Biological association | Mixed findings | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 12 |
| HbA1c | Biological association | Mixed findings | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 11 |
| Fasting blood glucose | Biological association | Mixed findings | Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 11 |
| Time to heal a partial-thickness burn | Biological association | Moderate certainty | Measured in trials: shortened. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 |
J. Genes, receptors and enzymes
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMP2, MMP9, BCL2, SRC (predicted targets) | Preliminary mechanism | In silico | Computer-modelling prediction for two honey flavones only. | 15 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fructose and glucose | Biological association | Lab analysis | Make honey sweet; a higher fructose-to-glucose ratio is linked by the authors to a lower chance of setting hard and a lower estimated glycemic index. Preparation or compound: Honey |
3 |
| Hesperetin | Biological association | In vitro | At 50 micromolar promoted mouse spleen lymphocyte growth and reduced NO and TNF-alpha in stimulated mouse macrophage cells (lab). Preparation or compound: Honey (marker in natural acacia honey, one Chinese study) |
15 20 |
| Pinocembrin | Biological association | In vitro | Same cell findings as hesperetin in the same study (lab). Preparation or compound: Honey (marker in natural acacia honey, one Chinese study) |
15 21 |
| Phenols and flavonoids (total) | Biological association | In vitro | Linked by authors to antioxidant and antibacterial activity in the lab. Preparation or compound: Honey |
15 16 9 |
| Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and proline | Biological association | Lab analysis | Used as quality and authenticity markers, not health effects. Preparation or compound: Honey |
3 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
The evidence
The research centre for Acacia Honey. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read the abstracts of 16 PubMed papers, the WHO botulism and healthy-diet fact sheets and the NHS botulism page in full, checked the tree and bee names in GBIF and two compounds in PubChem. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading unless a review gives its own. The EU honey directive and CDC pages could not be read and are not cited as checked.
Study library: every study we checked 22
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abuelgasim 2021 Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine · PMID 32817011 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
14 studies in people with upper respiratory tract infections (ages and honey types not stated in the abstract) | Honey (types not stated in the abstract) versus usual care or placebo honey (types not stated in the abstract) · vs Usual care; placebo in 2 studies |
Versus usual care, honey improved the combined symptom score (3 studies, mean difference -3.96, 95% CI -5.42 to -2.51), cough frequency (8 studies, SMD -0.36, 95% CI -0.50 to -0.21) and cough severity (5 studies, SMD -0.44, 95% CI -0.64 to -0.25). Two studies against placebo for combined symptoms: SMD -0.63, 95% CI -1.44 to 0.18, a range that includes no effect, with high inconsistency (I2 91%). The authors say further high-quality placebo-controlled trials are needed. Better than usual care; against placebo the range includes no effect (Cough frequency SMD -0.36 (-0.50 to -0.21); versus placebo SMD -0.63 (-1.44 to 0.18)) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Combined symptom score, cough frequency, cough severity Limitations: Moderate overall risk of bias; usual care is not a placebo; placebo comparison from only 2 studies and very inconsistent; honey in general, not acacia. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Aricò 2026 Infant Botulism and Honey Exposure: Global Epidemiology, Prevention Policies, and Communication Strategies. Acta Paediatrica · PMID 41964486 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Surveillance reports, agency documents and papers on infant botulism from 1976 to 2024 | Honey exposure in infants honey (types not stated) |
Cases were rare, but honey was the only consistently confirmed dietary source. Median age at onset was 3 to 4 months. Mortality was below 1% when infants received intensive care and human botulism immune globulin. The USA had about 130 cases a year in a global review; Europe, Canada, Japan and Australia reported markedly lower rates. Health authorities uniformly advised against honey before 12 months, but warning labels were voluntary in many regions and caregiver awareness varied. Rare but serious; honey is the only consistently confirmed food source Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Epidemiology, mortality, prevention policy Limitations: Narrative review; not specific to acacia honey. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Bratosin 2025 Physicochemical and Sensory Evaluation of Romanian Monofloral Honeys from Different Supply Chains. Foods · PMID 40647124 · DOI |
Lab analysis lab |
8 Eight monofloral honey samples from five plant sources (acacia, linden, rapeseed, lavender, thyme); both producer-sourced and commercial acacia honeys |
Chemical and sensory testing of honeys honey Lab |
Acacia honey had the lowest acidity and HMF and the highest fructose-to-glucose ratio, which the authors link to freshness, a lower risk of setting hard and a sweeter taste. Rapeseed honey had the most glucose and set fastest. The estimated glycemic index ranged from 43.91 to 62.68 across samples and fell as the fructose-to-glucose ratio rose (r = -0.98). Producer acacia honey scored best in the taste test. Lab description of the food; not a health effect Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Acidity, pH, moisture, HMF, proline, sugars, estimated glycemic index, sensory scores Limitations: Eight samples from Romania; estimated glycemic index is a calculation from sugar content, not a test in people; acacia value alone is not given in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract |
| Guntari 2025 Fructose-containing sugars and metabolic risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Food & Nutrition Research · PMID 41323133 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
7 clinical trials (17 study codes) in adults; intervention lengths 7 hours to 49 days | Honey was one of four sugar types compared (fructose, fructose-glucose mixtures, honey, sucrose) honey (type not stated) 7 hours to 49 days · vs Unsweetened drinks, artificial sweeteners, habitual diets |
Fructose-glucose mixtures raised fasting glucose and insulin; fructose, honey and sucrose showed no significant effects on those. A pooled analysis of fructose, fructose-glucose and honey showed a significant rise in uric acid (Hedges g 0.550, P = 0.028). Honey alone: no significant change in fasting glucose or insulin in short trials; pooled sugars raised uric acid (Uric acid (pooled sugars including honey) g 0.550, P = 0.028) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Fasting blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, uric acid Limitations: Short trials; honey was a small part of the data; the abstract does not separate honey results for uric acid. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts; they used AI tools to improve readability. Read: abstract |
| Jull 2015 Honey as a topical treatment for wounds. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · PMID 25742878 · DOI |
Systematic review |
3011 26 randomised or quasi-randomised trials, 3,011 people with acute wounds, burns or chronic wounds |
Honey dressings or topical honey versus other dressings and treatments honey (types not given in the abstract) Varied · vs Conventional dressings, silver sulfadiazine, antiseptics and others |
High-quality evidence (2 trials, 992 people) that honey dressings healed partial-thickness burns faster than conventional dressings (weighted mean difference -4.68 days, 95% CI -5.09 to -4.28). Honey healed infected post-operative wounds faster than antiseptic washes with gauze. Effects were unclear for venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and minor acute wounds. The authors say it is difficult to draw overall conclusions because the people studied and the comparisons were so varied and the evidence mostly low quality. Faster healing of partial-thickness burns; unclear for most other wounds (WMD -4.68 days (-5.09 to -4.28) for partial-thickness burns) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Wound healing time and rate; adverse events; infection Limitations: Honey type or grade is not given in the abstract; no trial of acacia honey is named. Evidence for most comparisons was low or very low quality. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Kim 2026 Metabolomics-based authentication of acacia honey against C3 and C4 sugar adulteration. Food Chemistry · PMID 41734540 · DOI |
Lab analysis lab |
Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) honey compared with honey from bees fed beet sugar (C3) or cane sugar (C4) | Acacia honey versus sugar-fed honey honey Lab |
The abstract says acacia honey is frequently adulterated with low-cost alternatives, either by adding syrup directly or by in-hive sugar feeding, and that sugar-feeding is hard to tell from nectar honey. The authors developed marker panels; 291 of 1,716 seven-marker panels reached 100% accuracy in an independent set and identified honey spiked with 20% beet- or cane-sugar-fed honey, beating a standard isotope method (60%) and another marker (30%). Adulteration is a documented problem for acacia honey; a lab test exists Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Ability of marker panels to tell genuine acacia honey from sugar-fed honey Limitations: Lab method study; no rate of adulteration on the market is given. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Matuszewska-Mach 2025 Ensuring the Safe Use of Bee Products: A Review of Allergic Risks and Management. International Journal of Molecular Sciences · PMID 41465502 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Literature on allergy to honey, bee pollen, bee bread, royal jelly, propolis, beeswax and bee brood | Bee products including honey honey and other bee products |
Bee products can provoke reactions from local dermatitis to life-threatening anaphylaxis, although relatively rarely. Both IgE-mediated (type I) and T-cell-mediated (type IV) mechanisms are described. People with atopy and beekeepers are at heightened risk of anaphylaxis. Management centres on avoiding the product, education and clearer labelling. Rare but can be severe; atopic people and beekeepers at higher risk Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Clinical forms of allergy, culprit allergens, at-risk groups Limitations: Narrative review; only the abstract was read; not specific to acacia honey. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Mohamed 2025 Modulation of IL-1beta and TGF-beta1 Gene Expression in Stress-Induced Depression Rat Supplemented with Malaysian Acacia Honey. Foods · PMID 41300053 · DOI |
Animal research animal |
42 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats given chronic unpredictable mild stress for 28 days |
Malaysian acacia honey, amitriptyline, or both honey (the abstract does not say it comes from Robinia) 28 days · vs Amitriptyline; stress-only rats |
The abstract says honey inhibited red-cell breakdown, eased tissue damage and lowered inflammatory gene expression, with the combination of honey and amitriptyline giving the biggest improvement. Parts of the abstract text as retrieved are garbled, so exact figures are not repeated. Rat findings only Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Blood glucose, red-cell breakdown, liver and kidney tissue changes, IL-1beta and TGF-beta1 expression Limitations: Animal study; the honey is "Malaysian acacia honey", which may be a different plant source from black locust; abstract text partly garbled. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract text read. Read: abstract |
| Nan 2026 Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of Acacia and Polyfloral Honey: Physicochemical Characterization and Correlation with Antibacterial Efficacy. Foods · PMID 42354050 · DOI |
Lab in vitro in vitro |
Two honeys (acacia and polyfloral) tested on Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, both standard lab strains and strains from patients | Acacia honey and polyfloral honey honey Lab dishes |
The abstract says the results were linked to polyphenol content and acidic pH and that antimicrobial potential differed between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and between resistant and other strains. It gives no numbers. Honeys affected bacteria in lab dishes; no effect in people shown Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Bacterial cell viability and biofilm formation, linked to honey chemistry (phenols, acidity, antioxidant capacity) Limitations: Lab study only; no numbers in the abstract; honey origin described as differing botanically and geographically. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract |
| Nishimura 2022 Multicentre, randomised study found that honey had no pharmacological effect on nocturnal coughs and sleep quality at 1-5 years of age. Acta Paediatrica · PMID 35927828 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
161 161 children aged 1-5 with an upper respiratory tract infection and cough for up to 7 days, from 13 community paediatric clinics in Japan (78 honey, 83 placebo) |
Acacia honey versus a honey-flavoured syrup placebo honey (acacia, from the abstract; botanical source not further described) Amount not stated in the abstract Given in the hour before sleep on 2 consecutive nights · vs Honey-flavoured syrup placebo |
Both groups improved on both nights. There were no significant differences between the honey and placebo groups. No difference between acacia honey and placebo syrup Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Night-time cough and sleep difficulty, rated on a 7-point scale on both nights Limitations: Only 2 nights and parent-rated scores; only children aged 1-5; one honey type from one country; the abstract does not state the amount given or who paid for the study. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Norouzzadeh 2025 Dosage exploration of the effects of honey and its derivatives on cardiometabolic outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews and GRADE-assessed updated meta-analysis. Nutrition & Diabetes · PMID 41261111 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
3544 69 randomised trials with 3,544 participants (health status not given in the abstract) |
Honey (types not stated in the abstract); the same review also covered royal jelly and propolis honey (types not stated) The abstract reports that about 10 g of honey a day was the level analysed · vs Various |
The abstract says 10 g of honey daily may lower haemoglobin A1C but may adversely affect systolic blood pressure, aspartate transferase, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. It adds that long-term or high-dose honey in people with health concerns warrants caution. Mixed: possible lower HbA1c, possible worse blood pressure, liver enzyme, triglycerides, fasting glucose and inflammation marker Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, AST, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein Limitations: Honey of mixed types; effect sizes not given in the abstract; certainty by GRADE is mentioned but not reported per outcome in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Oduwole 2018 Honey for acute cough in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · PMID 29633783 · DOI |
Systematic review |
899 6 randomised trials in 899 children aged 12 months to 18 years treated as outpatients for acute cough |
Honey of mixed types versus no treatment, placebo, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, salbutamol or bromelin honey (types not separated in the abstract) Most children were treated for one night · vs No treatment, placebo, cough medicines |
Honey probably reduced cough frequency more than no treatment (mean difference -1.05, 95% CI -1.48 to -0.62; 2 studies, 154 children; moderate certainty) and more than placebo (-1.62, 95% CI -3.02 to -0.22; 2 studies, 402 children; moderate certainty). Similar to dextromethorphan (low certainty); better than diphenhydramine (low certainty). Up to three days honey was probably better than placebo or salbutamol; beyond three days there was probably no advantage. The authors conclude there was no strong evidence for or against honey. Stomach symptoms: 12% with honey vs 11% with placebo (risk ratio 1.91, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.24; moderate certainty). Nervousness, insomnia or hyperactivity: 9.3% with honey vs 2.7% with dextromethorphan (not significant; low certainty). Small cough-score benefit over no treatment and placebo for a few days; no strong evidence either way (MD -1.05 (-1.48 to -0.62) vs no treatment; MD -1.62 (-3.02 to -0.22) vs placebo) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cough frequency and severity on 7-point scales; adverse events Limitations: Few, small trials; two rated at high risk of bias; most children treated for one night; honey types not separated in the abstract, so this is honey in general, not acacia honey. Funding and conflicts: Cochrane review; authors declare no known conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Rocha Filho 2026 Pharmacovigilance and toxicological risks associated with apitherapeutic products: a systematic overview. Archives of Toxicology · PMID 41071287 · DOI |
Systematic review |
Literature and official pharmacovigilance databases for honey, bee venom, propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen and beeswax | Bee products honey and other bee products |
Reported cases for honey included infant botulism and grayanotoxin poisoning. Allergic responses were the most common adverse event across bee products, especially in atopic people. The authors call for better labelling, surveillance and education. Allergy is the most common reported problem; rare serious cases Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Adverse effects and toxicological risks Limitations: Overview of reports, not rates; abstract does not name acacia honey. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Schoder 2026 Honey Fraud as a Moving Analytical Target: Omics-Informed Authentication Within a Multi-Layer Analytical Framework. Foods · PMID 41750904 · DOI |
Narrative review lab |
Literature on honey fraud and detection methods | Honey authentication methods honey |
Honey fraud is a persistent and hard-to-detect problem driven by global supply chains and economic incentives. The review separates fraud shown in the lab, fraud that is technically feasible, and fraud documented by regulators, and says advanced strategies are potential risks rather than confirmed large-scale cases. No fraud rates are given. Fraud is real and detection keeps changing; no rates Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Types of honey fraud and how it is detected Limitations: Narrative review; honey in general. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Wang 2026 Two Flavones as Markers for the Distinction of Natural Acacia Honey Based on the UHPLC-QE-MS Method and Research on Their Potential Immunomodulatory Activity. Food Science & Nutrition · PMID 42317499 · DOI |
Lab in vitro in vitro |
Natural and commercial acacia honey from China; mouse spleen cells and mouse macrophage cell line | Natural acacia honey, commercial acacia honey, and two isolated compounds (hesperetin, pinocembrin) at 50 micromolar honey and isolated flavones Lab |
Natural acacia honey scored higher than commercial acacia honey on flavonoids, phenols, proline and enzyme activity and had higher immunomodulatory activity in the lab. Hesperetin and pinocembrin at 50 micromolar promoted mouse spleen lymphocyte growth and reduced NO and TNF-alpha release from stimulated mouse macrophage cells, with no obvious toxicity. Computer modelling suggested effects on targets including MMP9, MMP2, BCL2 and SRC. Cell and computer findings only Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Honey quality indices; cell proliferation and inflammatory signals (NO, TNF-alpha) Limitations: Mouse cells and computer modelling; isolated compounds, not honey, were used in the cell tests; no human outcome. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract |
| Zivkovic 2026 Honey as a multifunctional natural product with health-promoting potential: comparative insights into antioxidant, antimicrobial, and DNA-protective activities. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · PMID 41957738 · DOI |
Lab in vitro in vitro |
Five honey types (honeydew, meadow, wild cherry, sunflower, acacia) in lab assays and an in vivo model (species not stated in the abstract) | Acacia honey among five honeys honey Lab |
All honeys reduced DNA damage induced by free radicals in vitro. Acacia honey showed the highest in vivo DNA-protective activity, followed by meadow and honeydew. Honeydew and meadow honeys had the highest total phenol content and antioxidant activity in two assays; acacia, wild cherry and sunflower were stronger in a third (ABTS). The authors say the results support further study in the context of human health. Lab and non-human findings only Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Antioxidant tests, DNA-damage protection, antimicrobial activity against eight microbial strains Limitations: No human outcome; in vivo model species not named in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| n/a 2023 WHO: Botulism (fact sheet, 25 September 2023) n/a · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Infant botulism symptoms listed: constipation, loss of appetite, weakness, an altered cry and a striking loss of head control. Honey is not to be fed before age 1 year. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Describes infant botulism: it mostly affects infants under 6 months; spores swallowed by an infant can grow in the gut and release toxin; spore-contaminated honey has been associated with a number of cases; parents and caregivers are warned not to feed honey to infants before 1 year. Spores are heat-resistant. Limitations: A regulator's fact sheet, not a trial. It does not mention acacia honey. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 NHS: Botulism (page last reviewed 4 March 2026) n/a · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Advice: no honey under 12 months; urgent help for a limp or floppy child. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Says not to give honey to babies younger than 12 months because honey can contain the bacteria that cause botulism. Lists baby symptoms: a weak cry, difficulty feeding, being quieter or sleepier than usual, a limp or floppy head, neck, arms or legs. Says to call emergency services if a child is limp or floppy or may have botulism symptoms. Limitations: UK health service page, not a trial. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 WHO: Healthy diet (fact sheet, 26 January 2026) n/a · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Honey counts as a source of free sugars. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Says consumption of free sugars should be limited throughout life, and that free sugars include sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates. Limitations: A regulator's fact sheet; it does not discuss acacia honey separately. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 PubChem compound record: Hesperetin (CID 72281, retrieved 2026-10-25) n/a · Source |
Database n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Hesperetin, formula C16H14O6, CID 72281. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity of hesperetin, a flavonoid named as a marker of natural acacia honey in one study. Limitations: Database record only. Read: api-record |
| n/a 2026 PubChem compound record: Pinocembrin (CID 68071, retrieved 2026-10-25) n/a · Source |
Database n/a |
n/a | n/a |
(+)-Pinocembrin, formula C15H12O4, CID 68071. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity of pinocembrin, a flavonoid named as a marker of natural acacia honey in one study. Limitations: Database record only. Read: api-record |
| n/a 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Robinia pseudoacacia L. (match API, retrieved 2026-10-25) n/a · Source |
Database n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Robinia pseudoacacia L., status ACCEPTED, family Fabaceae, order Fabales, GBIF key 5352251. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Accepted species name, family and order for the tree whose nectar gives acacia honey. Limitations: Database record for the plant only; it says nothing about the honey. Read: api-record |
What we do not know yet
- Only one trial has used acacia honey in people (cold cough in children aged 1 to 5, 2 nights), and it was negative.
- No acacia honey trial for blood sugar, wounds, infection or any other outcome was found.
- General honey reviews do not separate honey types in their abstracts.
- No information on acacia honey in pregnancy, breastfeeding or with medicines was found.
- No source tested acacia honey for pesticides, antibiotics or metals, and no rate of fraud was found.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it is added.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Metabolic 2
HbA1c
Lowered in trials
A blood test showing average blood sugar over about 3 months.
Mixed findingsResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether honey changes long-term blood sugar.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Possible small fall in HbA1c, but other blood measures may worsen; not shown to help people with diabetes.
Safety implication
People who manage blood sugar should ask a doctor or pharmacist.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | About 10 g of honey a day may lower HbA1c (overview of 69 trials; honey types not stated). | 3,544 people in 69 trials | Honey of mixed types |
Fasting blood glucose
Mixed results in trials
Blood sugar after not eating overnight.
Mixed findingsResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether honey raises or lowers blood sugar.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Results point in different directions.
Safety implication
Honey is a free sugar.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | The overview says 10 g of honey daily may adversely affect fasting blood glucose; a separate meta-analysis of short trials found honey alone had no significant effect on fasting glucose or insulin (p41323133). | Adults in randomised trials | Honey of mixed types |
Other 3
Night-time cough score
Lowered in trials
A parent-rated score of how bad the child's cough was at night, on a 7-point scale.
Evidence againstResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether honey changes how much a child coughs.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
No difference from placebo.
Safety implication
Children 1 to 5 only; never babies under 12 months.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Both groups improved; no significant difference between acacia honey and placebo syrup. | 161 children aged 1 to 5 with a cold cough | Acacia honey vs honey-flavoured placebo syrup, 2 nights |
Cough frequency score
Lowered in trials
How often the child coughs, on a 7-point scale where lower is better.
Mixed findingsResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether honey changes how much a child coughs.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Small benefit for a few days; the authors say evidence is not strong.
Safety implication
More stomach symptoms than placebo (12% vs 11%; RR 1.91).
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Lower with honey: -1.05 vs no treatment (95% CI -1.48 to -0.62) and -1.62 vs placebo (95% CI -3.02 to -0.22). | Children aged 12 months to 18 years | Honey of mixed types, mostly one night |
Time to heal a partial-thickness burn
Shortened in trials
Days until a burn that damaged the top layers of skin has healed.
Moderate certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To compare honey dressings with usual dressings.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Large relative to healing time, but honey grade is not given and acacia honey is not named.
Safety implication
Burns need medical care; do not use jar honey instead.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Honey dressings healed partial-thickness burns about 4.68 days faster than conventional dressings (95% CI -5.09 to -4.28; 2 trials, 992 people). | People with partial-thickness burns | Honey dressings, type not given in the abstract |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 6
- Never give honey to a baby under 12 months (infant botulism). WHO and the NHS say not to give honey to babies before 12 months. Honey can carry spores of the bacterium that causes botulism. In a baby the spores can grow in the gut and release a toxin that weakens the muscles. This is rare, but it is serious. A 2026 review found honey was the only consistently confirmed food source of infant botulism, and that deaths were below 1% when babies got intensive care and specific treatment. This applies to acacia honey and every other honey. Raw, filtered, creamed or "natural" does not change it: WHO says the spores are heat-resistant. We found no source that says acacia honey is safer or riskier than other honeys. Authoritative guidance 17 18 2
- Honey is a sugar food. WHO counts the sugars naturally present in honey as free sugars, which it says should be limited throughout life. Trials of honey in general give mixed blood-sugar results: a possible lower HbA1c, but possible worse fasting glucose, blood pressure, triglycerides, a liver enzyme (AST) and an inflammation marker at about 10 g a day. Acacia honey has not been tested for these. People who manage blood sugar should ask a doctor or pharmacist. Authoritative guidance 19 11 4
- Allergic reactions are rare but can be severe. Bee products, honey included, can trigger reactions from skin rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis. People with atopy (an allergic tendency) and beekeepers are at higher risk. Allergy was the most common adverse event reported for bee products in a 2026 safety overview. Not specific to acacia honey. Review 7 13
- Jar honey is not a wound dressing. The wound-care evidence is for honey dressings in trials, and the review does not name acacia honey. Do not use kitchen honey in place of medical care for a wound or burn. See a clinician. Systematic review 5
- Acacia honey is often adulterated, and a jar cannot tell you. A 2026 study says acacia honey is frequently mixed with cheaper sugar syrups, added directly or fed to bees, and that feeding is hard to detect. A review says fraud methods keep changing. No rate was given. "Acacia" on a label does not prove what is inside. Lab analysis 6 14
- Evidence of benefit is thin. The only trial of acacia honey in people (children aged 1 to 5 with a cold cough) found no benefit over a placebo syrup. Most other findings come from honey in general or from lab and animal work. Controlled trial 10
Side effects 5
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant botulism (babies under 12 months) Honey is the only consistently confirmed food source. Applies to every honey. | Rare; about 130 cases a year in the USA in one global review | severe Mortality below 1% with intensive care and specific treatment; hospital care is needed | Review 17 2 |
| Allergic reactions (rash, swelling, wheeze, anaphylaxis) Higher risk in people with atopy and in beekeepers. | Relatively rare; no rate in the abstracts | mild to severe Varies; anaphylaxis is an emergency | Review 7 13 |
| Stomach symptoms in children over 12 months From a Cochrane review of honey in general for cough. | 12% with honey vs 11% with placebo (risk ratio 1.91, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.24) | mild Not stated | Systematic review 12 |
| Nervousness, insomnia or hyperactivity in children Low-certainty evidence; honey types not separated. | 9.3% with honey vs 2.7% with dextromethorphan (risk ratio 2.94, 95% CI 0.74 to 11.71; not significant) | mild Not stated | Systematic review 12 |
| Higher blood sugar, blood pressure, triglycerides, AST or inflammation marker with regular honey The reviewers say long-term or high-dose honey in people with health concerns warrants caution. | Possible; effect sizes not in the abstract | unclear Not stated | Meta-analysis 11 |
Liver
No report of liver injury from acacia honey was found in the sources read. A 2025 overview of trials reported that about 10 g of honey a day may adversely affect AST, a liver enzyme (honey types not stated). 11
How often. No rate could be found.
Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was read.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Acacia Honey supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 2
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glucose-lowering medicines and insulin prescription | Honey is a sugar food and may change blood sugar. | Honey trials give mixed blood-sugar results; no interaction study with diabetes medicines was read. | Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence 11 4 | Ask a doctor or pharmacist before adding honey regularly if you take glucose-lowering medicines. |
| Other sources of free sugar in the diet food | Honey adds to total free sugars. | WHO says free sugars include honey and should be limited. | Authoritative guidance High certainty 19 | Count it as sugar. |
Who should check first 6
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Babies under 12 months | Do not give honey in any form. | Authoritative guidance 17 18 2 |
| Known allergy to honey, bee products or pollen, or atopy with a history of severe reactions | Avoid unless an allergy specialist advises otherwise. Seek urgent care for breathing trouble or swelling. | Review 7 13 |
| Diabetes or other blood sugar problems | Ask a doctor or pharmacist first. Honey is a free sugar and trial results are mixed. | Systematic review 19 11 4 |
| Pregnancy | No source read describes acacia honey in pregnancy. Lack of information is not proof of safety. Ask a doctor or midwife. | Insufficient |
| Breastfeeding | No source read describes acacia honey while breastfeeding. Ask a doctor or pharmacist. Never give honey to the baby. | Insufficient 17 |
| Wounds and burns | See a clinician; do not use jar honey in place of medical care. | Systematic review 5 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. Honey is a food. No source read reports toxicity from acacia honey. Reports of honey poisoning with a plant toxin (grayanotoxin) are described for honey in general in one safety overview; nothing links them to acacia honey in the sources read.
Animal. A rat study used a Malaysian "acacia honey" with no toxicity statement in the abstract.
Human doses studied. Not given as advice here.
High dose or long term signals. A 2025 overview says long-term or high-dose honey in people with health concerns warrants caution.
Overdose response. Not described in the sources read.
Genotoxicity. In one non-human model, acacia honey showed DNA-protective activity, not damage (p41957738).
The documented quality problem is adulteration with cheaper sugar syrups. No source read tested acacia honey for pesticides, antibiotics or metals.
Adulteration with sugar syrups. A 2026 study says acacia honey is frequently adulterated, directly or by feeding bees sugar, and that feeding is hard to detect; a lab marker panel caught honey spiked with 20% sugar-fed honey. A 2026 review says fraud methods keep changing; no rates are given. 6 14
Spores of Clostridium botulinum. Spores are heat-resistant (WHO), so raw, filtered or heated honey is not safer for babies. 17
Pesticides, antibiotics and heavy metals. No source read tests acacia honey for these.
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| World Health Organization (International) | Botulism fact sheet: parents and caregivers are warned not to feed honey to infants before 1 year; spores are heat-resistant. source | 2023-09-25 |
| NHS (England) (United Kingdom) | Do not give honey to babies younger than 12 months. Call emergency services if a child is limp or floppy. source | 2026-03-04 |
| World Health Organization (International) | Healthy diet fact sheet: free sugars include sugars naturally present in honey and should be limited throughout life. source | 2026-01-26 |
When to get medical help
- A baby under 12 months who has had honey and has constipation, weak cry, poor feeding, is unusually sleepy, or has a floppy head, neck, arms or legs: get emergency medical help now.
- Anyone with trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, hives or fainting after eating honey: call emergency services.
- A wound or burn that is spreading redness, hot, swelling, leaking pus, or with fever: see a clinician, do not rely on honey.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is acacia honey safe for babies?
What is acacia honey?
Does acacia honey help a cough?
Is acacia honey good for people with diabetes?
Is acacia honey healthier than sugar?
Can I put acacia honey on a wound or burn?
Do not use jar honey instead of medical care. In trials, honey dressings healed partial-thickness burns faster than conventional dressings, but the review does not name acacia honey and honey dressings are medical products. See a clinician for wounds and burns.
Is acacia honey antibacterial?
In lab dishes, acacia and mixed-flower honey slowed several bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. That is lab work only. No human trial of acacia honey for infection was found.
Does acacia honey have antioxidants?
In lab tests, yes, honeys including acacia showed antioxidant activity, and acacia honey was strongest for DNA protection in one non-human model. Honeydew and meadow honeys had more phenols in the same study. This does not show a health effect in people.
Can acacia honey cause an allergic reaction?
Is raw acacia honey safer or better?
Not for babies: the spores that cause infant botulism are heat-resistant, so raw and heated honey carry the same risk. We found no trial comparing raw and processed acacia honey.
Is the acacia honey in the shop real?
Is acacia honey safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No source we read describes acacia honey in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and lack of information is not proof of safety. Ask a doctor, midwife or pharmacist. Never give honey to the baby.
Explore by health goal
Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We read the abstracts of 16 PubMed papers, the WHO botulism and healthy-diet fact sheets and the NHS botulism page in full, checked the tree and bee names in GBIF and two compounds in PubChem. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading unless a review gives its own. The EU honey directive and CDC pages could not be read and are not cited as checked.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.
Sources 22
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Abuelgasim H, Albury C, Lee J. Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. 2021. PMID 32817011. DOI 10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111336. (abstract)
- Aricò MO, Caselli D, Stefanizzi P, et al. Infant Botulism and Honey Exposure: Global Epidemiology, Prevention Policies, and Communication Strategies.. Acta Paediatrica. 2026. PMID 41964486. DOI 10.1111/apa.70538. (abstract)
- Bratosin ED, Tit DM, Pasca MB, et al. Physicochemical and Sensory Evaluation of Romanian Monofloral Honeys from Different Supply Chains.. Foods. 2025. PMID 40647124. DOI 10.3390/foods14132372. (abstract)
- Guntari P, Junaida A, Eny P, et al. Fructose-containing sugars and metabolic risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Food & Nutrition Research. 2025. PMID 41323133. DOI 10.29219/fnr.v69.11062. (abstract)
- Jull AB, Cullum N, Dumville JC, Westby MJ. Honey as a topical treatment for wounds.. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015. PMID 25742878. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD005083.pub4. (abstract)
- Kim Y, Jo MY, Jeong H, et al. Metabolomics-based authentication of acacia honey against C3 and C4 sugar adulteration.. Food Chemistry. 2026. PMID 41734540. DOI 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.148486. (abstract)
- Matuszewska-Mach E, Borysewicz P, Królak J, et al. Ensuring the Safe Use of Bee Products: A Review of Allergic Risks and Management.. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025. PMID 41465502. DOI 10.3390/ijms262412074. (abstract)
- Mohamed AS, Muhammad H, Nik Zainuddin NAS, et al. Modulation of IL-1beta and TGF-beta1 Gene Expression in Stress-Induced Depression Rat Supplemented with Malaysian Acacia Honey.. Foods. 2025. PMID 41300053. DOI 10.3390/foods14223895. (abstract)
- Nan A, Caraba MN, Mituletu M, et al. Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of Acacia and Polyfloral Honey: Physicochemical Characterization and Correlation with Antibacterial Efficacy.. Foods. 2026. PMID 42354050. DOI 10.3390/foods15122076. (abstract)
- Nishimura T, Muta H, Hosaka T, et al. Multicentre, randomised study found that honey had no pharmacological effect on nocturnal coughs and sleep quality at 1-5 years of age.. Acta Paediatrica. 2022. PMID 35927828. DOI 10.1111/apa.16509. (abstract)
- Norouzzadeh M, Barazandeh S, Hasan Rashedi M, et al. Dosage exploration of the effects of honey and its derivatives on cardiometabolic outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews and GRADE-assessed updated meta-analysis.. Nutrition & Diabetes. 2025. PMID 41261111. DOI 10.1038/s41387-025-00403-9. (abstract)
- Oduwole O, Udoh EE, Oyo-Ita A, Meremikwu MM. Honey for acute cough in children.. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018. PMID 29633783. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5. (abstract)
- Rocha Filho LKA, Silva GI, Silva MS. Pharmacovigilance and toxicological risks associated with apitherapeutic products: a systematic overview.. Archives of Toxicology. 2026. PMID 41071287. DOI 10.1007/s00204-025-04218-6. (abstract)
- Schoder D. Honey Fraud as a Moving Analytical Target: Omics-Informed Authentication Within a Multi-Layer Analytical Framework.. Foods. 2026. PMID 41750904. DOI 10.3390/foods15040712. (abstract)
- Wang B, Hua M, Liu Y, et al. Two Flavones as Markers for the Distinction of Natural Acacia Honey Based on the UHPLC-QE-MS Method and Research on Their Potential Immunomodulatory Activity.. Food Science & Nutrition. 2026. PMID 42317499. DOI 10.1002/fsn3.72021. (abstract)
- Zivkovic JM, Jovanovic N, Matic SL, et al. Honey as a multifunctional natural product with health-promoting potential: comparative insights into antioxidant, antimicrobial, and DNA-protective activities.. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 2026. PMID 41957738. DOI 10.1186/s12906-026-05371-w. (abstract)
- n/a. WHO: Botulism (fact sheet, 25 September 2023). n/a. 2023. (full-text)
- n/a. NHS: Botulism (page last reviewed 4 March 2026). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. WHO: Healthy diet (fact sheet, 26 January 2026). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. PubChem compound record: Hesperetin (CID 72281, retrieved 2026-10-25). n/a. 2026. (api-record)
- n/a. PubChem compound record: Pinocembrin (CID 68071, retrieved 2026-10-25). n/a. 2026. (api-record)
- n/a. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Robinia pseudoacacia L. (match API, retrieved 2026-10-25). n/a. 2026. (api-record)
Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- Raw or pasteurized, and the single flower source if stated
- Origin and any lab testing the seller shares
- Not for infants under 12 months
- A sealed jar with a packed-on date
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
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