Honey is popularly used as a natural sweetener, but has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, and antibacterial properties. Recent studies have found anecdotal evidence suggesting that honey is beneficial for brain health. Particularly, honey’s brain boosting benefits are suggested to include memory optimization, neuroprotection, anti-stress, and anti-nociceptive effects.

Potential mechanisms of neurological effects of honey involve its phenolic and flavonoid content. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of phenolic and flavonoid compounds work in tandem to improve cognition and memory. Using honey supplementation, morphology-related brain structures, cholinergic enhancement, and neuroinflammation and microglial activation inhibition was found.

More evidence is needed to further establish these findings; however, novel therapeutic functions of honey appear promising. Treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and overall brain health enhancement are areas of interest when considering the possible therapeutic effects of honey.

Sources:

Zamri, N. A., Ghani, N., Ismail, C. A. N., Zakaria, R., & Shafin, N. (2023). Honey on brain health: A promising brain booster.