A: While honey is tasty, and buying from local beekeepers is a good way to support your community; local honey will not prevent those pesky seasonal allergies.  This is information from the American College of Allergy and Immunology:

"One study, published in 2002 in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, showed no difference among allergy sufferers who ate local honey, commercially processed honey, or a honey-flavored placebo. And in rare cases there might actually be a risk. In extremely sensitive individuals, the ingestion of unprocessed honey can result in an immediate allergic reaction involving the mouth, throat, or skin - such as itching, hives or swelling - or even anaphylaxis. Such reactions may be related to either pollen or bee part contaminants." 

https://acaai.org/resources/connect/ask-allergist/will-honey-relieve-my-seasonal-allergies

Bottom Line:  Enjoy that honey added to hot tea, drizzled on plain yogurt or in baking - but don't expect it to help your seasonal allergies!

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Related Items

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Sensationalism and Seed Oils

These days there’s a lot of negativity about “seed oils”. According to some of the social…

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: When Following Food Advice May Not Be the Best Idea

Often we see articles in magazines, posts on social media, reels or videos that feature a…

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Easy-to-swallow foods

Question: I have some difficulty with chewing and swallowing. What are some soft foods…

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Dinner — Something for Everyone?

Whether it’s a family gathering or a co-worker get together, what kind of meal can you…

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

twitter.com/InglesDietitian

facebook.com/LeahMcgrathDietitian

800-334-4936