Professor Nina Vishnevskaya, from the Department of Life Safety at Perm Technical University, reported that anaphylactic shock can occur after consuming honey, and can be fatal if immediate medical intervention is not provided.
She says: "Unfortunately, it is difficult to accurately determine the cause of the reaction without conducting the necessary tests and knowing the person's medical history, as the cause may be the honey itself or one of its components, pollen, or propolis (bee glue)."
The professor confirms the possibility of cross-reactivity in people with seasonal pollen allergies.
She says: "The body mistakenly considers a harmless product a threat, leading to a strong immune response, including swelling of the larynx and a drop in blood pressure."
According to her, contraindications for consuming honey also include hereditary fructose intolerance and bacterial overgrowth syndrome, while honeydew honey lovers should be especially careful.
Nina Vishnevskaya explained: "Honeydew honey should not be consumed by people with kidney disease, as it may impede potassium excretion, or by those with acute gastrointestinal diseases. It is also not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding or for children under the age of three."
According to her, pregnant and breastfeeding women are not prohibited from consuming flower honey, but it is advisable to add it to their diet after consulting a doctor. Obese and diabetic patients should also monitor their honey intake. Children under three years of age are not advised to consume honey due to the risk of botulism.
She says: "Clostridium botulinum spores can reach honey via nectar and pollen. These spores do not pose a risk to adults and children over the age of three, but infants' intestines are not fully developed, which may allow the spores to germinate and produce the toxin."
