Effects of Natural Honey and Refined Sugar on the Lipid Profile and Some Atherogenic Indices of Wister Rats

The study compared the effect of natural honey and refined sugar on Total cholesterol (TC), Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Triglyceride (TG), Atherogenic index (Total Cholesterol/HDL) and Coronary risk index (LDL/HDL) on wister rats.28 wister rats with body weight average of 200g were divided into seven groups of four each. Group 1 was used as control, three groups were treated with natural honey using low dose, moderate dose and high dose of 0.04g/ml, 0.09g/ml and 0.13g/ml respectively and three groups treated with refined sugar using low dose, moderate dose and high dose of 0.02g/ml, 0.03g/ml and 0.04g/ml respectively. The administration was done orally by gavaging method and after 4 weeks, blood samples were collected for analysis of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, TC/HDL and LDL/HDL. Results showed significant decreases in TC, TG and HDL-C in rats treated with low dose of refined sugar and HDL-C level in rats treated with moderate dose of refined sugar while significant increases were seen in LDL-C and TC/HDL ratio in rats treated with high dose of refined sugar. In rats treated with natural honey, significantly reduced levels of TC and TG and significantly increased levels of HDL-C were seen in low and moderate doses of honey. However, when moderate doses of refined sugar and honey were compared, significant reduced level of TC/HDL was observed in rats treated with honey. In conclusion, consumption of low and moderate doses of natural honey was shown to reduce cardiovascular risk indicated by decreased TC, TG and increased HDL-C while low, moderate and high dose of refined sugar showed decreased TC, TG, HDL-C and increases in LDL-C and TC/HDL-C levels indicating increased cardiovascular risk.