Why do people say honey is “similar” to human blood?

• The mineral composition of honey, especially its trace amounts of iron, copper, manganese, potassium, and magnesium, is remarkably similar to the mineral profile of human plasma (the liquid part of blood).

• Both honey and blood plasma are slightly acidic and contain enzymes and proteins that interact dynamically with oxygen and microbes.

• Honey’s sugar profile (glucose + fructose) and pH balance can also support the growth of beneficial bacteria, similar to how blood supports microbiota balance in the body.

But here’s the catch..

• Honey doesn’t contain red or white blood cells, hemoglobin, or plasma proteins like albumin, so it’s not structurally or functionally identical to human blood.

• The similarity lies more in its elemental and enzymatic composition, which is why it’s sometimes called “nature’s blood” or “plant blood.”

Fun fact:

Bees actually use honey a bit like blood in their own bodies. It circulates nutrients, supports immunity, and maintains internal balance through their hemolymph, which is insect “blood.”

So in summary, yes, honey and human blood share a surprisingly similar mineral makeup, but they’re not “chemically identical.” The poetic comparison is rooted in truth but not literal biology.