Insights & Discussion
Current evidence shows that short-term honey supplementation following surgical or physiological menopause exerts an oestrogenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on the female reproductive system.
A systematic literature search using Scopus, MEDLINE via Ovid and Cochrane Library databases was conducted. Records were screened and identified for preclinical and clinical studies addressing the effects of HS on the FRS. Data on populations, interventions, outcomes and methodological quality were extracted. Studies were synthesised using tables and written summaries. Of the 198 identified records, six fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All six records were used for data extraction: two experimental studies using rats as the model organism and four human clinical studies of honey on female reproductive health. HS elevated the progesterone levels, restrained body weight increase, prevented uterine and vaginal atrophies in ovariectomised rats, attenuated symptoms of candidiasis and improved oxidative status in patients.
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The combination of dark chocolate with herbs could be one of the therapies for period pain.
2023 Journal of Tropical Pharmacy and Chemistry Effect of Combination of Dark Chocolate and Herbal Ingredients for Dysmenorrhea in Late Adolescents Azizah RNP, Anggreini P, Prasetya F
Randomised Controlled Trial Dark Chocolate Ginger Honey
This test was conducted on 30 respondents who were divided into three groups, namely the positive control group (K), dark chocolate (C), and a combination of dark chocolate with herbs (C+H). Dark chocolate was combined with herbal ingredients consisting of turmeric, red ginger, moringa, sambiloto extract, and honey as a beverage 250 mL.
The study is quantitative research with quasi-experimental method. Pain measurement using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) sheet was given before and 2 hours after treatment. The data was analyzed using paired t-test. State the results of the values obtained the combination of dark chocolate and herbs showed a significant reduction in pain before and after treatment (p<0.05).
Consuming bicarbonate-calcium mineral water, low in sodium, can help manage calcium imbalance and support bone health in perimenopausal women.
2023 Metabolites Supplementing Low-Sodium Bicarbonate–Calcic (Lete)® Water: Effects in Women on Bone and Systemic Metabolism Marino C, Pagano I, Castaldo G, Grimaldi M, D’Elia M, Santoro A, et al.
Clinical Study Menopause
The study involved 120 perimenopausal women who consumed 2 liters of a specific bicarbonate-calcium mineral water (Lete) daily for six months. This water was chosen because it is rich in calcium and bicarbonate but low in sodium. The study aimed to determine the impact of this water on bone health and overall metabolism. The participants’ urine and blood serum were analyzed using NMR-based metabolomic procedures. These analyses were conducted to assess the effects of the water not only on calcium metabolism but also on the broader systemic metabolism.
The findings indicated that the Lete water effectively compensated for calcium dysmetabolism and supported bone health and integrity in perimenopausal women. While the study primarily focused on bone metabolism, it also provided insights into the potential system-wide metabolic effects of this specific type of mineral water. This suggests that such water could be a valuable dietary supplement for addressing calcium-related metabolic issues, particularly in perimenopausal women.
Honey potentially has superior results than cough medication or placebo in curtailing symptoms and enhancing sleep in children with acute cough.
2023 European Journal of Pediatrics Honey for acute cough in children — a systematic review Kuitunen I, Renko M
Systematic Review Children's Health Cough Honey
Methodology:
This targeted review leveraged multiple databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Web of Science, to extract relevant trials relating to honey's usage in treating acute child cough. By applying a systematic approach, the emphasis was on randomized controlled trials featuring children. To ensure the results' credibility, payment was done for risk-of-bias as well as the quality of the evidence. The studies were not combined owing to the absence of essential information; instead, conclusions provided a range of noticed effects for principal results.
Discussion of results:
Following rigorous screening of almost four hundred papers, a select ten were incorporated. Significant variability in biases was noticed, with two studies possessing a high risk-of-bias and six inviting some concerns. The evidence, though of low to very low quality, indicated honey's potential superiority over placebo/no treatment and cough medication, both in reducing cough frequency and improving sleep quality.
Honey intake has observed beneficial effects on various health aspects like cardiovascular, metabolic risk factors, and wound healing, primarily replacing other sweeteners.
2023 Nutrients A Comprehensive Review of the Effect of Honey on Human Health Palma-Morales M, Huertas JR, Rodríguez-Pérez C
Review Article Honey
In this comprehensive review study, the researchers went beyond just looking at one or two aspects of health; instead, they embarked on an ambitious task of reviewing forty-eight clinical trials that were published between 1985 and 2022, involving a total of 3655 subjects. The researchers aimed to critically analyze the effect of honey on multiple health indices, including, but not limited to, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, glucose tolerance, mucositis inflicted by chemo-radiotherapy, cough in children, and wound healing.
The evaluation and analysis of the data involved a thorough examination of the results of each of the clinical trials, consideration of several potential variables, and detailed cross-study comparisons. This broad and deep investigation allowed the researchers to draw correlations and pinpoint the beneficial influences of honey, considered a nutritious and natural food.
The results from these clinical trials saw more beneficial effects on health from honey intake when compared to neutral or negative outcomes. It was most notably effective, particularly when used as a substitute for other sweeteners. The review also pointed out the potential use of honey as a safe adjuvant to be used in combination with drugs for specific illnesses. Confidently stating that honey has clear benefits in the clinical trials analyzed, the researchers fostered a promising narrative for the further exploration and acceptance of honey as a health booster.
A combination of soybean germ extract and a probiotic significantly improved menopause-related conditions and mood in an ovariectomized rat model.
2023 Nutrients Anti-Menopausal Effect of Soybean Germ Extract and Lactobacillus gasseri in the Ovariectomized Rat Model Lee SH, Lim TJ, Yun EJ, Kim KH, Lim S
Animal Study Menopause
The study employed an ovariectomized rat model to understand the effects of a combination of soybean germ extract containing 30% isoflavone and a probiotic. The methodology included assessing the effects of this combination on several health markers including body weight, estrogen markers, uterine and bone health, vascular markers, and neurotransmitter levels in these rats.
Once implemented, the combination of soybean germ extract and the probiotic showcased significant improvement in body weight and uterine and bone health of the rats. There were also noticeable effects on the lipid profile, liver function, and vascular markers. Most interestingly, the combination had a positive impact on the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, indicating potential mood-enhancing effects, which are crucial in managing symptoms post-menopause. This essentially shows the potential of a dietary approach towards menopausal management, especially given the observed benefits without the side effects typically associated with hormone replacement therapy.
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