Honey has high-quality protein, but it contains only 0.3 grams of protein per 100g and less than 0.1 grams per tbsp.
How much protein do we need a day?
The recommended daily intake of protein for people who follow a sedentary life is 0.8 grams per kilogram (2.2 lbs) of body weight.
Active people require more protein. The recommended daily intake of protein for people with minimal, moderate, and intense physical activity is 1, 1.3, and 1.6 grams per kilogram (2.2 lbs) of body weight, respectively.[1,2]
How much protein in honey?
Actually, honey contains negligible amounts of protein. It contains only 0.3 grams of protein per 100g, or 0.06 grams of protein per tablespoon.[3]
Protein in honey is high quality, though. It consists of 26 amino acids! The main amino acid in honey is proline. It’s 50–85% of the total protein content.[4]
Should I eat honey?
Calories of honey come almost 100% from sugars. Furthermore, honey contains low amounts of fiber, vitamins and minerals. But, honey is good for you because it’s particularly high in antioxidants, which fight oxidative stress.
In particular, honey is pretty rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds. These compounds have potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties! In fact, honey may play a beneficial role in certain inflammatory diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis, as well as neurodegenerative diseases.[5,6]
Furthermore, honey may be beneficial for gastrointestinal tract disorders and promoting healthy gut microbiota, due to its probiotic properties! Healthy gut microbiome is crucial for increased metabolism and a strong immune system.
So, moderate honey consumption, as part of a healthy, well-balanced diet, is good for you. It could help you lose weight as well.
You’ll find a wide variety of organic honey brands on iHerb.
Common foods high in protein
Certainly, meat, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, yogurt, and eggs are good dietary sources of protein. But, there are many plant-based sources containing high amounts of protein as well.
Beans, nuts, seeds, whole-grains, and vegetables (e.g. kale, spinach) contain decent amounts of protein, which can help meet our daily needs. Actually, people who follow a well-balanced, healthy, plant-based diet, get more than enough protein.
