Evaluation of therapeutic potential of Arhar honey (Cajanus cajan) in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance

Background: In Indian Medicine System, Arhar honey is believed as one of the valuable medicinal foods. Honey is being used since ancient times owing to its functional properties and nutritive value. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the effect of honey supplementation on fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and lipid profile of the subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and healthy subjects. Methods: The selection of subjects was done through oral glucose tolerance test (World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization, 1998). On the basis of blood glucose level, 28 subjects were selected by purposive random sampling and were divided into two groups. Group I included normal healthy subjects having FBG in the range of 70–100 mg/dl (n = 14), and Group II was comprised of subjects having FBG level between 100 and 125 mg/dl falling in the category of IGT (n = 14). 70 g honey was administered to subjects in both the groups on an empty stomach for 60 days and its effect on body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, FBG, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipid profile was observed. Results: Honey administration lowered blood glucose levels and lipid levels in subjects with IGT and normal healthy subjects. Other benefits of honey administration include an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and a reduction in BMI. Conclusion: Consumption of honey has shown a reduction in body weight, BMI, FBG, HbA1c, and improvement in lipid profile in IGT subjects.