Can I drink honey if it smells like sprinkles?

Honey is a good drink that can be consumed all year round. There are many types of honey, depending on the type of flowers the bees collect from. Honey water is a dessert we drink every day. It has the effects of moisturizing the intestines and promoting bowel movements, beautifying the skin, and can also resist atherosclerosis. Daily use is of great benefit to our body. However, due to the high sugar content in honey, it is not suitable for people with high blood sugar. The preservation of honey requires certain requirements, so can we drink honey that tastes like alcohol?

Can I still eat honey if it tastes like alcohol? Don't eat when the smell of alcohol is pungent. There is a kind of yeast in almost all honey. This yeast will break down the glucose and fructose in honey into carbon dioxide and alcohol at the right temperature, which is why the honey has an alcohol taste.

The fermentation process of honey is related to the amount of yeast, water content and temperature it contains, and the process is slow. When a faint smell of alcohol appears, it at least indicates that it is pure honey and can be eaten. When the alcohol smell becomes stronger, sour or pungent, it means that the honey is best preserved.

Studies have shown that when the moisture content of honey exceeds 20%, it is prone to fermentation. Therefore, honey must be sealed and moisture-proof, and stored in a low temperature and light-proof environment. You can cover the honey with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator.

How long can honey be kept? Generally, the shelf life of canned honey is based on the period marked by the manufacturer, and it is best to drink wild honey within the season. Because there is no strict bacteria control procedure in the brewing process of wild honey, it may be contaminated. If stored for too long, it will easily deteriorate and its nutritional value will be greatly reduced.

Taboos on eating honey

1. Honey that has not been refined or has been stored for too long cannot be eaten

Some substances in unrefined honey are the same as those in bee venom, which can cause an immune response after entering the human body. Taking jujube honey that has been left out for a long time and has formed flocs can also cause serious poisoning reactions.

2. Do not take medicine for colds or fever with honey

Most people with a cold will cough, and honey has a cough-relieving effect, so many people drink honey to relieve cough symptoms when they have a cold. However, if you are taking antipyretics or cold medicines containing antipyretic ingredients, you should not take honey at the same time. Many cold medicines, such as Tylenol, Quick, Ganlike, and Ganmaoqing, contain the antipyretic and analgesic acetaminophen. When it meets honey, it will form a complex, which affects the body's absorption rate and thus weakens the antipyretic effect.

3. Remember not to use boiling water to brew honey

If the water temperature exceeds 60℃, it will seriously destroy the nutrients in the honey. High temperatures will inactivate the enzymes contained in honey and reduce its effect in inhibiting bacterial growth. It will also cause the unique aroma of honey to disappear and produce an unpleasant sour taste. It is recommended to use warm water or cold water to make honey water. In summer, brewing honey with cold water has the effect of cooling down and relieving fever.

4. Babies under one year old should not eat honey

Honey is easily contaminated by Lactobacillus botulinum during brewing, transportation and storage. Because infants have weak resistance, after ingesting Lactobacillus botulinum, it will multiply in the intestines and produce toxins. The liver's detoxification function is poor, so it is easy to cause botulism food poisoning. The honey is severely fermented and can no longer be drunk.