Is it safe to put honey in hot tea and what is the danger: a chemist's answer

Honey is a very popular product among Ukrainians. However, there are some myths surrounding its consumption. Many people believe that adding honey to hot tea is a grave mistake because it becomes toxic to the body and can harm it. But this belief is unfounded.

Hlib Repich, with a Ph.D. in chemistry and a chemistry teacher at the Atmospheric School, debunked this widely held notion in a recent TikTok video.

There are two reasons commonly cited for not adding honey to hot tea: 1 - honey loses its beneficial properties when heated, and 2 - when heated, a substance called oxymethyl furfural forms in the honey, which is believed to make the tea unsafe to drink.

"There was a study suggesting oxymethyl furfural as a potential toxin and carcinogen. Sounds scary, right? But let me share a little secret," the chemist remarks.

Hlib Repich explained that this same oxymethyl furfural forms when sugar is heated. This means that it appears not just in honey but in nearly every heat-treated food. This includes baked goods, jams, preserves, and fried, baked, boiled, and even dried foods. Top contributors to this list include toast, roasted coffee, and prunes.

"In reality, oxymethyl furfural constantly forms in all sugar-containing products, even without heating, albeit more slowly. Hence, oxymethyl furfural is always present in fruit juices, wine, and honey," the chemist elaborated.

He further emphasized that the longer such products are stored, the more oxymethyl furfural they accumulate.

However, there's no reason for alarm, as recent comprehensive studies on living organisms have failed to validate the toxic or carcinogenic attributes of oxymethyl furfural.

"Therefore, feel free to add honey to tea, baked goods, or anywhere else you'd like," Hlib Repich concludes.

He also emphasized the importance of opting for high-quality honey from reliable producers.

As a reminder, many people start their mornings with a glass of water on an empty stomach. This habit is beneficial for your body, but it's essential to drink water at the right temperature.

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