Based on PubMed | Does honey lower blood pressure in people with hypertension?

Honey is not proven to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. Evidence in humans is limited and does not show a reliable blood‑pressure–lowering effect, and current heart‑health guidance does not include honey as a strategy to treat high blood pressure. Most of the supportive data for blood pressure come from animal studies, not clinical trials in people. ^{[1] [2]}

What the evidence shows

• Animal studies: In hypertensive rats, long‑term honey supplementation reduced systolic blood pressure and markers of kidney oxidative stress. These findings suggest a potential antioxidant mechanism but are preclinical and cannot be assumed to apply to humans. ^{[1] [2]}
• Human studies: Reviews summarize biologic properties of honey and explore possible effects on cardiovascular risk factors, but they emphasize that more controlled human trials are needed and do not provide clinical proof that honey lowers blood pressure in people. There are no robust randomized trials in humans showing honey reduces blood pressure in hypertension. ^{[3] [4]}

What major guidance emphasizes

• Lifestyle measures with consistent human evidence for lowering blood pressure include reducing sodium, moderating alcohol, losing weight if needed, being physically active, eating a DASH‑style diet rich in fruits/vegetables/low‑fat dairy, and managing stress. Honey is not listed among proven blood pressure–lowering strategies in these recommendations. ^{[5] [6] [7]}
• For cold/flu self‑care in people with high blood pressure, warm lemon water with honey can soothe a sore throat, but this is for symptom relief and not for lowering blood pressure. It should not be viewed as an antihypertensive therapy. ^[8]

Practical considerations if you enjoy honey

• Portion control: Honey is a concentrated sugar and can affect blood sugar and calorie intake. Using small amounts as a sweetener is generally safe for most adults, but it should not replace proven lifestyle changes or prescribed medications for hypertension. ^{[9] [10]}
• Overall diet: If you use honey, consider it within a heart‑healthy pattern (e.g., DASH), focusing on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, low‑fat dairy, lean proteins, and limited sodium and added sugars. This pattern has proven benefits for blood pressure, unlike honey alone. ^[5]

Bottom line

• There is no high‑quality human evidence that honey lowers blood pressure in people with hypertension. Animal data suggest possible antioxidant effects, but clinical trials in humans are lacking, so honey should not be used as a treatment for high blood pressure. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}
• For blood pressure control, follow established measures (DASH‑style diet, activity, weight management, sodium reduction, limited alcohol, stress control) and take prescribed medications as directed. Honey can be enjoyed in moderation for taste or throat soothing, but not as an antihypertensive remedy. ^{[5] [6] [8]}