Passerby walks past a pop-up store of K-pop boy band BTS ahead of the band’s upcoming BTS World Tour “ARIRANG” concert, at Tokyo’s Shibuya district / Reuters-Yonhap
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BTS has recently unveiled their secret to a quick preconcert energy boost — honey.
Photos shared by members V and J-Hope on social media show the group consuming honey while preparing for a recent concert in Goyang. V and J-Hope were seated at a small table backstage, while Jin is seen eating a spoonful honey.
The K-pop superstars kicked off their world tour, which spans 85 shows across 34 cities, with concerts held on April 9 and 11–12 at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Their tour stops include cities in Japan, North America, Europe, South America and Asia. With such a demanding schedule, what can be the benefits of consuming honey?
Quick source of energy
Honey is a natural food known to help boost vitality and support overall health. Its main components are glucose and fructose, and since more than 90 percent of honey is sugar, it is quickly absorbed by the body, making it an immediate source of energy.
Honey is also rich in B vitamins, which support energy metabolism and help reduce fatigue. This makes it particularly useful on days when you feel exhausted or low on energy.
Although its sweet taste may suggest high calories, honey contains about 294 kcal per 100 grams — lower than sugar, which has about 384 kcal per 100 grams. Honey is also rich in minerals such as potassium, which helps remove sodium from the body, magnesium, which is important for muscle relaxation and nerve stability, and zinc, which is beneficial for wound healing and immune function.
In addition to providing energy, honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It may help reduce inflammation in the body and help prevent colds. It is also beneficial for gut health. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition found that honey can promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Avoid excessive intake
However, honey may contain allergens derived from environmental factors such as pollen. If you experience itching in your mouth or throat after consuming honey, you should stop eating it.
Even without allergies, it is important to consume honey properly. Its nutrients can be easily destroyed when exposed to high temperatures for long periods, so it’s best to avoid direct sunlight and consume it on its own or mixed with lukewarm foods.
Excessive intake should be avoided. Overconsumption may lead to obesity or dyslipidemia. The American Heart Association recommends limiting honey intake to no more than nine teaspoons per day for men, and six teaspoons per day for women and children.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.