Honey vs. Apricot jam — 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

Honey

1

Protein: 0.3 g

Fats: 0 g

Carbs: 82.4 g

Water: 17.1 g

Other: 0.2 g

Apricot jam

3

Protein: 0.7 g

Fats: 0.2 g

Carbs: 64.4 g

Water: 34.5 g

Other: 0.2 g

Contains more CarbsCarbs

+28%

Contains more ProteinProtein	+133.3%
Contains more FatsFats	+∞%
Contains more WaterWater	+101.8%

~equal in Other ~0.2g

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

Honey

5

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

Apricot jam

0

Contains more SucroseSucrose	+∞%
Contains more GlucoseGlucose	+∞%
Contains more FructoseFructose	+∞%
Contains more MaltoseMaltose	+∞%
Contains more GalactoseGalactose	+∞%

~equal in Starch ~

~equal in Lactose ~

  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

Honey

1

Apricot jam

0

Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 0.01 g

Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 0 g

Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0 g

Contains less Sat. FatSaturated Fat

-100%

~equal in Monounsaturated Fat ~0g

~equal in Polyunsaturated fat ~0g

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.

Honey

6

Apricot jam

3

Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2	+72.7%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+236.1%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5	+240%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+20%
Contains more FolateFolate	+100%
Contains more CholineCholine	+450%

Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C	+1660%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin E Vitamin E	+∞%

~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg

~equal in Vitamin B1 ~0mg

~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg

~equal in Vitamin K ~0µg

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.

Honey

4

Apricot jam

6

Contains more ZincZinc	+266.7%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus	+33.3%
Contains less SodiumSodium	-90%
Contains more ManganeseManganese	+100%

Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium	+100%
Contains more CalciumCalcium	+233.3%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium	+48.1%
Contains more IronIron	+16.7%
Contains more CopperCopper	+177.8%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium	+150%

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).