Adding this ingredient to yogurt will help promote gut health.
Yogurt contains many beneficial bacteria, but not all of them reach the gut. Researchers have just found a way to overcome this.
Two separate studies, conducted by professors of microbiology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and published in March 2024 and June 2024, showed that adding honey may support the survival of probiotics during the digestive phase in the gut. Since enzymes in the digestive tract can sometimes kill beneficial bacteria, this could be a useful strategy to keep them alive.
According to gut health nutritionist Amanda Sauceda, a lecturer at Long Beach University (California), adding a touch of sweetness can make yogurt more palatable. While the taste of yogurt may not appeal to everyone, it is ultimately a healthy food that contains not only probiotics but also plenty of protein, calcium, and other nutrients.
In moderation, honey can also be considered a nutritious food. "Honey is not just sugar; it's a source of nutrients. For example, you can find 10 milligrams of potassium in a tablespoon of honey, and it also contains phenols, which are being studied for their potential impact on the gut microbiome," Sauceda said.
One tablespoon of honey provides approximately 64 calories, all from sugar. If you decide to add honey to yogurt, Sauceda recommends limiting other sources of added sugar on the same day.
