Does Raw Honey Turn You Into a Warlord?
let's find out.
What would modern health and wellness discourse be like without trends?
I’m not so sure it would even exist.
I’ve seen a lot about raw honey on social media over the last 6 months- it’s considered a staple in the more hardcore wellness spaces, and thus it’s now seeping out into the mainstream.
There were bold claims on the more esoteric or “alpha” side of Twitter that raw honey would “testmaxx” you, that you’d be your own version of Genghis Khan merely from a few days of intake.
There was also anecdotal evidence of gut healing and blemish repair on the skin.
(I didn’t do that part, but I’ll add it when I do a skincare writeup)
Reading all of these testimonials- some hyperbolic, some genuine, there was really only one way to find out the truth.
Raw honey wasn’t a part of my arsenal, so I figured I’d deploy my love of self-experimentation and report back with my findings.
Like most things in modern wellness, the findings fell inbetween the extremes.
Let’s break it down:
The Loadout
I’ve been using Whole Foods’ 365 brand raw honey
Usage
I’ve been taking it 1 serving at night, melted into oatmeal.
On lifting days, a second serving goes into a pre-workout drink alongside Citrulline Malate and pink sea salt.
Originally, I added it to my coffee in the morning, but I found that it tasted vile.
The (no pun) Raw Facts
Anon accounts with Greek statue pfp’s chest-thumping poasting aside, here’s the actual listed benefits of raw honey:
Natural sugars (glucose, fructose) which are easily absorbed and provide stable energy
Rich in antioxidants (good for your heart!)
antimicrobial/antibacterial properties, so good for the immune system (more on this later)
Skin health (again I didn’t try this, but YMMV if you do)
potential Testosterone support for men
Women report reduction in menstrual fatigue
Obviously, lots of potential benefits here that someone of either gender and any age can benefit from.
(Well, it does say on the back not to feed to an infant under a year, had to be safe and throw that in)
Speaking of safety- This is a personal health article written on the internet by a guy in (very, tbh) good shape, take it for what you will and consult a doctor if you want to start a new supplement.
The Results
Ah, the good part.
The Pros
More physique “fullness” the next day. I’m on a cutting cycle and this helped eliminate the A.M. flatness that can come with that.
Pumps in the gym were noticeably better, and didn’t fade midway through the way they would with an over-the-counter pump supplement.
Stomach/Gut health was the BIGGEST improvement by far. Helped mitigate stupid things I do like coffee+Zyn on an empty stomach, or eat too quickly. Noticeable improvements here.
Stabilized energy when taken before long cardio sessions (i.e. a bike ride in the hot Florida sun)
Here’s the biggest benefit I found, though it is the most anecdotal as well:
It’s peak allergy season here in Florida.
All my life, when I’ve had allergies, all the mucus and grossness in my head and nose would inevitably stagnate in there and cause at least one round of a sinus infection.
This has not happened!
Additionally, my Oura Ring symptom tracker hasn’t even detected minor signs of anything over the past month.
Notable considering I’m in a personal “danger zone” of the calendar year.
Also, for the guys here- Citrulline Malate+ raw honey combo…doesn’t just have to be before the gym. I’ll leave it at that.
The Cons
Honestly? Not many, and they’re minor:
The taste (at least to me) is awful. This is not the honey you had as a kid that comes in that teddy bear bottle.
Consistency/texture can be chunky.
I noticed it added a bit to dehydration if I wasn’t on top of my water/electrolyte intake.
Delusions of grandeur/ fantasies of conquering entire continents on my own did not occur any more frequently than they normally do.
“John, do I take it or not?”
Resounding yes.
Like anything else that’s consumable, raw honey isn’t a cure-all or a bandaid for a lack of training or a garbage diet.
You can’t “major in the minor” when it comes to your health.
That being said, it’s a potent, whole, and naturally occurring supplement with a solid upside and minimal downside.
Not bad for $8.
Also…you’re still having your health-conscious lean before bed, right?
Hope you guys enjoyed this one.
I’ll be back later in the week with a story about how I got into a fight with a thunderstorm.
🫶🏻💪🏻
-John Abbate
3.24.26