Raw Honey
Honey is considered super-healthy. Research has found many health benefits to regular consumption of honey – but not all are aware of the potential downsides.
Honey is usually processed through filtration, which removes pollen grains and particles. However, raw honey can still contain pollen grains. This can lead to an allergic reaction, especially for those with hay fever.
Raw honey can also contain Clostridium botulinum bacteria, responsible for intestinal botulism. This was discovered by the Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. Intestinal botulism can cause severe lethargy, muscle weakness, double vision, difficulty swallowing, and death.
Although the risk of getting intestinal botulism from raw honey may be rare, it could affect anyone. A British Medical Journal study found a direct link between infant botulism and honey ingestion. If you have allergies to pollen or hay fever, it is best to avoid giving raw honey to children.
