A recent TikTok food craze sounds sweet on the surface: freezing honey turns it into a squeezable treat that’s as natural as the nectar itself. This year’s # FrozenHoneyChallenge has racked up over 91 million views. But before you go fill up your water bottle, know that this trend has some drawbacks, including gastrointestinal distress.

Participants say frozen honey is a tasty and enjoyable treat. It is easy to make with honey and optional ingredients like corn syrup for a thinner consistency or food coloring or powdered drink mixes for color. Then wait eight hours or overnight. So what? A frozen, chewy honey glob that elicits an ASMR response before melting in your mouth.

Avery Cyrus, a 6.5 million-follower TikTok influencer, discussed her experience with frozen honey in a video titled “Brb Gotta Go Get My Stomach Pumped.” “I’m going to try this frozen honey thing,” she tells her fans, noting how “cool” it looks and how “satisfying” it should be. “It melts after a bite,” she says, squeezing globs of honey, blue, and red (corn syrup and Kool Aid). Her honey buffet was simply “too much!” she admits in the video.

“Note to self: Don’t eat three mouthfuls of honey in the morning, it will cause urgent bowel movement,” said Lalaleluu in her video with over seven million views.

Is Eating Frozen Honey Beneficial?

The benefit of eating frozen honey is that it is fun and may taste good if you like honey. Experts say there may be more advantages.

Antioxidants and Prebiotics in Honey

There may be a few other health benefits, according to Jackie Newgent, RDN, author of The Clean & Simple Diabetes Cookbook. “It’s a surprising source of antioxidants and prebiotics,” she says. As for prebiotics, they may help digestion and gut health, while antioxidants may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and boost the immune system, says nutritionist and author Keri Gans.

It May Refuel You Post-Workout

A couple tablespoons of frozen honey can help replenish muscle glycogen after an intense workout because it contains 17 grams of sugar per tablespoon. Refueling your muscles with glycogen soon after a workout is essential for muscle recovery, according to research in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine.

Is Using Frozen Honey Risky?

Sadly, sucking frozen honey from a water bottle may be harmful to your health, but it all depends on how much you consume, says Gans. In a water bottle, you’re likely to stop at 1 tablespoon of honey.

Calorie-dense Honey

A 1-tbsp serving of honey contains 60 calories, all from sugar, according to Newgent. “Indulging in frozen honey on top of your regular eating repertoire can definitely lead to weight gain,” she warns.

Sugary Honey

As stated previously, one serving of honey contains 17 g of sugar. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 g of added sugar per day for women and 36 g per day for men. In general, Newgent recommends no more than 2 tbsp of honey per day for women and 3 tbsp per day for men.

It Can Elevate Glucose

Those with prediabetes or diabetes should avoid this TikTok trend due to the high sugar content in honey, according to Newegent. “At a minimum, it may cause headaches in otherwise healthy people,” she says. A diet high in sugar can lead to chronic inflammation, says Gans.

It Can Make You Sick

And, as many TikTokers have discovered the hard way, too much frozen honey may result in a trip to the bathroom. The fructose in frozen honey can cause bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea if consumed in excess. This is due to fructose intolerance, a malabsorption condition caused by increased consumption of beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup.

Takeaway

A little frozen honey TikTok fun won’t hurt you. Consider it a healthier alternative to a candy bar. “If you like honey and want something sweet, keep your portion small and enjoy it,” advises Gans. The trend may not appeal to those who already consume a diet high in added sugars. If watching frozen honey ooze from a water bottle doesn’t excite you, opt for crystallized honey or honeycomb instead.

She advises avoiding the bottles as seen on TikTok and sticking to the serving size of one tablespoon to avoid any negative side effects. For smaller servings, freeze the honey in ice cube trays.