Apricot jam vs. Honey — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Macronutrients

Overall, honey and apricot jam contain fewer amounts of proteins and fats. Honey's primary component is carbohydrates, which account for 95-97% of its dry weight(1). 

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Apricot jam

3

:

1

Honey

Contains more Protein +133.3%

Contains more Fats +∞%

Contains more Water +101.8%

Contains more Carbs +28%

Equal in Other - 0.2

Apricot jam

Protein: 0.7 g

Fats: 0.2 g

Carbs: 64.4 g

Water: 34.5 g

Other: 0.2 g

Honey

Protein: 0.3 g

Fats: 0 g

Carbs: 82.4 g

Water: 17.1 g

Other: 0.2 g

Contains more Protein +133.3%

Contains more Fats +∞%

Contains more Water +101.8%

Contains more Carbs +28%

Equal in Other - 0.2

Calories

Honey is higher in calories. Honey provides 304 calories per hundred grams, whereas apricot jam contains 242 calories.

Protein

Apricot jam and honey contain less protein. Both have less than 1g of protein.

Carbohydrates

Honey is higher in carbs compared to apricot jam. Honey provides 82.4g of carbs, whereas apricot jam contains 64.4g. The primary sugars in honey are monosaccharides: fructose and glucose. 

Honey also contains a small amount of disaccharides, such as sucrose, galactose, and trisaccharides(1).

Honey and apricot jam are cholesterol-free.

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Apricot jam

0

:

0

Honey

Apricot jam

Honey

Starch: 0 g

Sucrose: 0.89 g

Glucose: 35.75 g

Fructose: 40.94 g

Lactose: 0 g

Maltose: 1.44 g

Galactose: 3.1 g

  Fats

Apricot jam provides only 0.2g of fats, whereas honey does not contain it.

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Apricot jam

0

:

1

Honey

Contains less Saturated Fat -100%

Apricot jam

Saturated Fat: 0.01 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 0 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 0 g

Honey

Contains less Saturated Fat -100%

Flavonoid Compounds

The most flavonoid compounds in honey are Luteolin, Quercetin, and Myricetin. Apricot jam, on the other hand, contains more Kaempferol and Catechin(2).

Vitamins

Honey and apricot jam are not good sources of vitamins. 

Apricot jam contains high levels of vitamin C. Apricot jam contains 8.8mg of vitamin C, whereas honey only 0.5mg. 

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Apricot jam

3

:

5

Honey

Contains more Vitamin A +∞%

Contains more Vitamin E +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +1660%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +72.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +236.1%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +240%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +20%

Contains more Folate +100%

Apricot jam

Honey

Contains more Vitamin A +∞%

Contains more Vitamin E +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +1660%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +72.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +236.1%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +240%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +20%

Contains more Folate +100%

Minerals

Honey is not a good source of minerals. 

Honey provides 5.5 times more choline and ten times less sodium. Apricot jam contains three times more calcium and 1.5 times more potassium.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Apricot jam

6

:

4

Honey

Contains more Calcium +233.3%

Contains more Iron +16.7%

Contains more Magnesium +100%

Contains more Potassium +48.1%

Contains more Copper +177.8%

Contains more Selenium +150%

Contains more Phosphorus +33.3%

Contains less Sodium -90%

Contains more Zinc +266.7%

Contains more Manganese +100%

Apricot jam

Honey

Contains more Calcium +233.3%

Contains more Iron +16.7%

Contains more Magnesium +100%

Contains more Potassium +48.1%

Contains more Copper +177.8%

Contains more Selenium +150%

Contains more Phosphorus +33.3%

Contains less Sodium -90%

Contains more Zinc +266.7%

Contains more Manganese +100%

Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load

The glycemic index of honey is 61. The glycemic index of apricot jam is 69. On the other hand, apricot jam is a low-GL food, whereas honey is a medium-GL food(3). The glycemic load of honey is 11.

Acidity

The pH value of honey is 3.9, whereas apricot has a pH of 3.69(4)(5). Both are acidic. Another way to measure the acidity of foods is the potential renal acid load (PRAL). The PRAL value of honey is -0.9, whereas apricot jam has a PRAL of -1.5. It means that both are alkaline-forming.

Diabetes

The study showed that apricot jam is optimal for people with diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance, and obesity. Moreover, the sugar-free apricot jam with white bread did not affect postprandial glycemic reactions. As apricot jam is a low Gl-food, it is a good option for long-term glycemic control(3).

Honey has antidiabetic effects too. It can cause a lower elevation of plasma glucose level (PGL). Honey also can reduce the complications of diabetes(6). 

Cancer

Honey has antimetastatic, antiproliferative, cytotoxic, and anticancer effects. It can decrease the risk of breast, liver, and colorectal cancer(7).

Honey has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, alter cell cycle progression, and cause mitochondrial membrane depolarization in several cancer cells, such as skin cancer cells, cervical cancer cells, endometrial cancer cells, and prostate cancer cells(1).

Apricot induces apoptosis, programmed cell death, and autophagy. Apricot jam, on the other hand, has anti-neoplastic effects on gastric, breast, and colon cancers and hepatocellular carcinoma(8).