Published on: 5/21/2025
Can Honey Be Beneficial for Treating an Upset Stomach and Diarrhea?
Honey might help with upset stomachs and diarrhea due to its antibacterial properties, but it can also cause a laxative effect.
Explanation
Honey has been studied for its effects on stomach issues like diarrhea. One study found that honey has antibacterial properties, which might help treat gastroenteritis, a stomach issue that often causes diarrhea. Another study showed that honey could help treat infantile gastroenteritis, which is diarrhea in babies. However, another study noted that honey might act like a laxative in normal people, meaning it could make you go to the bathroom more.
Key Points:
- Antibacterial Action: Honey has properties that can fight bacteria, which might help with stomach problems like gastroenteritis.
- Infantile Gastroenteritis: Honey has been helpful in treating diarrhea in babies. However honey should not be used in infants under 1 year of age.
- Laxative Effect: Be cautious, as honey might cause more bathroom trips in some people.
In summary, while honey can be helpful for some stomach issues, it might cause more frequent trips to the bathroom for others. Always consider these effects when using honey for stomach problems.
(References)
- (1985). its antibacterial action in the treatment of gastroenteritis. Glimpse (Dhaka, Bangladesh), 12314387.
- Ladas SD, Haritos DN, & Raptis SA. (1995). Honey may have a laxative effect on normal subjects .... The American journal of clinical nutrition, 7491882.
- Haffejee IE, & Moosa A. (1985). Honey in the treatment of infantile gastroenteritis. British medical journal (Clinical research ed.), 3924286.
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
For First Time Users
What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?
We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.
Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?
Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.