Russian expert warns honey can cause fatal allergic reactions in some people

Prof. Nina Vishnevskaya of the Department of Life Safety at Perm Polytechnic University said honey consumption can trigger anaphylactic shock, which may be fatal without medical intervention. She described the reaction as a strong immune response that can occur with symptoms such as swollen throat and a drop in blood pressure, originating either from the honey itself or from an error in the production process. Vishnevskaya cautioned that people with hereditary fructose intolerance and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth should also avoid honey. She added that kidney patients, those with acute digestive disorders, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under three should not consume honey, as it can hinder potassium excretion. The expert said flower honey can be added to the diet of pregnant and breastfeeding women with medical approval, but people with obesity and diabetes should monitor their intake. She also flagged a botulism risk for children under three, noting that Clostridium botulinum spores can pass into honey through nectar and pollen. While the spores do not pose a risk to adults and children above three, they can develop in the intestines of infants, she warned.