Acute Effect of Honey-Sweetened Green Tea on Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Healthy Female Subjects: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Study

Introduction: Green tea contains bioactive catechins associated with antioxidant and cardiometabolic benefits, while honey is a natural sweetener rich in phenolic compounds with potential health-promoting properties. However, limited data exists on the combined physiological effects of green tea sweetened with honey. Objectives: This study assessed the acute effects of honey-sweetened green tea on blood glucose, blood pressure, and heart rate in healthy young adult females. Methods: Thirty healthy females aged 18–25 years participated in this randomized controlled study conducted over three consecutive days. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups: control group (250 mL warm water), green tea group (250 mL green tea containing 2 g green tea), and honey-sweetened green tea group (250 mL green tea containing 2 g green tea plus 20 mL honey). Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at baseline and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes post-consumption, while blood glucose was measured at baseline and at 30 and 60 minutes post-consumption. Data were analyzed using one-way and two-way ANOVA, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Acute consumption of honey-sweetened green tea did not produce significant changes in blood glucose, blood pressure, or heart rate compared with the control or green tea groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that honey-sweetened green tea does not exert significant acute effects on glycemic or cardiovascular parameters in healthy young adult females. Further studies are warranted to investigate the chronic effects and potential mechanisms underlying the cardiometabolic actions of green tea and honey.