If you drink honey water as your very first thing on an empty stomach in the morning, this practice is not advisable. The reason is that honey water contains sugar and is not in the form of plain water. After drinking it, the fructose in the honey must be metabolized by the body into glucose before it can be absorbed and utilized. This process defeats the purpose of the first glass of water in the morning, which is to cleanse the body's internal environment.
Honey as the first drink cannot effectively replenish the body's cells with water, and the time for the kidneys to excrete urine is relatively slower compared to plain water, reducing the body's detoxification function. At this point, when the body has not yet cleared waste products, it receives new, high-quality (honey) substances. The new substances then mix with the metabolic waste from the night, creating a process of metabolizing and absorbing a mixture of old and new substances. This prevents the proper absorption of honey's nutrients, and the re-metabolism of the waste is even more detrimental to health. Therefore, it is better to drink plain water first, and then consume honey ten minutes later to maximize its nutritional value.
Drinking a glass of honey water 30-60 minutes before bed, meaning it is the last drink before sleeping, is not suitable for everyone and is not recommended. The reason is that drinking honey water at this time typically causes a rapid increase in blood sugar. How, then, can it alleviate hypoglycemia in the middle of the night? Furthermore, cells are already dehydrated during sleep, making the blood relatively viscous. Drinking honey water on top of this would be like adding fuel to the fire, making it even less conducive to preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents. Therefore, it is more suitable for middle-aged and elderly individuals and those with abnormal blood lipids to choose plain water. Only by giving up these two "firsts" can the better nutritional value of honey be effectively utilized.
In addition, honey water contains various nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and biological enzymes, which have certain effects on beautifying the skin and promoting bowel regularity. Therefore, after drinking plain water in the morning and when the body is relatively clean, consuming honey is more conducive to exerting its preventive and therapeutic effects. To not affect appetite, you can eat honey directly or with foods like bread. It can also be mixed with yogurt or fruit and vegetable juices. The time, except for the two "firsts," can be arranged as needed. Therefore, giving up the two "firsts" in the use of honey water will result in better nutritional value.
Reminder: Honey should not be consumed warm or hot, as this will destroy vitamins and inactivate biological enzymes, reducing its original nutritional value. It is best to eat honey with cool, boiled water!