Honey before bed – beneficial for athletes?

Yes, this tip is actually scientifically sound – especially for active people:

1. Stabilisation of blood sugar levels overnight:
   Honey contains a mixture of glucose and fructose. This combination ensures that blood sugar levels do not drop too quickly, which can reduce night-time cortisol spikes (stress hormones). This promotes restful sleep, which in turn is essential for muscle regeneration.

2. Replenishing glycogen stores:
   After training, the liver and muscle glycogen stores are often depleted. A spoonful of honey can help meet the liver’s night-time glycogen requirements – particularly important as the brain relies on glucose at night.

3. Promotion of night-time muscle repair:
   The energy supplied by honey means that the body is not forced to metabolise muscle protein for energy – which can happen during very long fasting periods (e.g. 8–10 hours of sleep).

4. Supports growth hormone release:
   Stable blood sugar levels and sufficient energy supply promote the natural release of growth hormones, which peak during deep sleep – crucial for muscle building.