Based on NIH | Is it safe to eat honey at night while taking metformin, or could it interfere with the medication or worsen blood sugar control?

Eating honey at night while taking metformin is generally safe from a drug–food interaction standpoint, but honey is still a concentrated carbohydrate and can raise your blood sugar, especially if eaten close to bedtime. ^{[1] [2]}

Metformin and honey: interaction and safety

• Metformin by itself does not usually cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and there is no known direct interaction with sugars like honey. ^[1]
• Because metformin doesn’t typically cause hypoglycemia on its own, eating honey does not make metformin unsafe; the main concern is the extra carbohydrate load from honey that can raise glucose. ^[3]

How honey affects blood sugar

• Honey and table sugar both raise blood glucose; honey is slightly sweeter and has similar or slightly more carbohydrate and calories per teaspoon, so it should be counted like any other sugar. ^[4]
• In people with type 2 diabetes, honey produces a glucose rise comparable to other carb sources (like bread) over several hours, with a tendency toward an earlier spike after eating. ^[5]
• This means that a late-evening serving of honey can contribute to higher nighttime and next‑morning glucose, particularly if portion sizes are generous. ^[2]

Nighttime timing matters

• Snacking after dinner especially on carbohydrate-containing foods can lead to higher fasting glucose the next morning. ^[2]
• If you are hungry at night, lower‑carb, higher‑protein or higher‑fiber snacks are preferred to reduce overnight glucose elevations. ^[6]
• Examples of lighter, lower‑carb options include Greek yogurt, a small handful of nuts, or a hard‑boiled egg, which tend to have less impact on glucose than honey. ^[6]

Practical guidance if you choose to include honey

• Portion control: Limit to a small amount (for example, 1 teaspoon) and count it in your carbohydrate budget for the day. ^[4]
• Pair with protein/fiber: Combining a small amount of honey with a protein or fiber source may blunt the speed of the glucose rise, although the total glycemic effect still depends on total carbs. ^[5]
• Monitor your response: Use your meter or CGM to see how a nighttime honey snack affects your bedtime, overnight, and morning readings, and adjust timing/portion accordingly. ^[2]
• Take metformin with meals as prescribed to reduce stomach side effects; the presence of honey does not impair metformin’s action. ^[7]

When to be cautious

• If your fasting glucose or overnight readings are running high, minimizing bedtime carbohydrates like honey can help improve morning numbers. ^[2]
• Metformin rarely causes low blood sugar unless combined with other glucose‑lowering drugs or alcohol, but maintaining consistent meal patterns still supports stable control. ^{[8] [1]}

Bottom line

• There is no direct harmful interaction between honey and metformin. ^[1]
• The main issue is glycemic impact: honey is a fast, concentrated carb and, at night, may raise overnight and morning blood sugars, so moderation and careful monitoring are key. ^{[4] [2]}
• Choosing a low‑carb, protein‑ or fiber‑based bedtime snack is often a better option for glucose control. ^[6]